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Illinois Basketball: Top 5 Illini recruiting targets left for the class of 2021

By Rees Woodcock

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: A basketball is shot through the hoop during warmups prior to Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors at ORACLE Arena on June 13, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: A basketball is shot through the hoop during warmups prior to Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors at ORACLE Arena on June 13, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – NOVEMBER 18: A. Illinois Fighting Illini logo is seen on the side of a basketball before the start of the during the college basketball game between the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors and the Illinois Fighting Illini on November 18, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Jaden Hardy – Top 12

Illinois hasn’t snagged a top 10 nationally ranked recruit in a long time. Since the internet was created, I don’t believe it has happened. From 1950-1990, it is a little fuzzy on the exact recruiting rankings, so there might have been a couple of players in there.

But snagging a top recruit would be a big deal in the college basketball world today. If the Illini were able to land someone like Jaden Hardy, it would send shockwaves through the country. With that being said, we are still in the running for this top guard.

Hardy is a 6-foot-4, 190-pound combo-guard from Coronado High School and resides in Henderson, Nevada. He is rated as a five-star recruit who is the No. 6 player in the class of 2021 and the No. 1 combo-guard in the nation. He is also the No. 1 player in the state of Nevada.

Back on April 16, Hardy cut his top list down to just 12 programs. One of the top 12 included the Illini. Does this mean we actually have a chance at this talented guard? I would say we are probably in the bottom half of the top 12.

But the fact Hardy kept us alive means we have a chance. Brad Underwood and his coaching staff can do some amazing things on the recruiting trail. We also need more guard help for 2021. Hardy would fit in well with the program. I see him starting either at the No. 2 or 3 for the Illini.

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