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Illinois Basketball: Top 7 transfers the Illini are pursuing

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 09: Illinois Fighting Illini Head Coach Brad Underwood looks up at the scoreboard to check out a replay during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 9, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois.(Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 09: Illinois Fighting Illini Head Coach Brad Underwood looks up at the scoreboard to check out a replay during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 9, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois.(Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – FEBRUARY 15: Jonah Antonio #10 of the UNLV Rebels shoots against Corey Manigault #1 of the New Mexico Lobos during their game at Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit on February 15, 2020 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

6. Jonah Antonio

Illinois lost some talent this offseason who could shoot the ball from distance. That means Brad Underwood is going to want to replace some of that talent. This is probably a reason why the Illini are targeting Jonah Antonio.

Coming out of high school, Antonio wasn’t being looked at by many programs. He wasn’t ranked or rated by the recruiting sites, so he picked Mt. St. Mary’s has his landing spot. Antonio spent one season there and then decided to transfer out.

Antonio ended up with South Plains College at the junior college level for his sophomore season. This stop went well, so he decided to transfer again and committed to UNLV. This past season with the Rebels, he averaged 6.9 points and 2.4 rebounds per game while shooting 31.2-percent from the field and 31.5-percent from three-point range.

Illinois is putting out feelers for a ton of transfers right now. Antonio is getting interest from the Illini, which means Underwood sees a fit there. The most updated news on this graduate transfer is his recruitment is still open despite some thinking Marquette will be the landing spot.

I am nervous about Antonio. He had bad numbers with UNLV. Illinois doesn’t have a ton of spots available for next season. The good part is the fact he is a graduate transfer and can play immediately. The bad part is the fact I don’t know how much he can help this team.

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