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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 – JANUARY 11: A basketball rolls off the court during a timeout in the Big Ten Conference game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 11, 2017, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Charles Bediako

The emergence of Kofi Cockburn was exciting to watch. He came onto the scene as a top 60 recruit and didn’t disappoint by any means. He has declared for the NBA Draft, though. That means we might not have him around for the upcoming campaign.

Even if Kofi comes back, there is no way we have him around for a third year. That is why snagging a big man for the class of 2021 is so important. The Illinois coaches realize that and have been recruiting Charles Bediako hard over the past year.

Bediako is a 6-foot-11, 215-pound center from Andrews Osborne Academy and resides in St. Catharines, Ontario. He is rated as a five-star recruit who is the No. 21 player in the class of 2021 and the No. 4 center in the nation. He is also the No. 1 player in Ontario.

The lack of media attention Illinois is getting when recruiting Bediako is making me nervous. I believe we are still in the running here. There hasn’t been a top list released yet, but the Illini have put in a lot of resources into this kid. I think we should have solid footing in his recruitment still.

Illinois also needs a big man for 2021. There were reports of Bediako reclassifying, but those reports have been debunked. The kid is staying in the class of 2021. If he decides to play for the Orange and Blue, he would start day one.

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