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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 30: The Lou Henson signature is seen on the court before the start of the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 30, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

5. Max Christie

There are a few recruits on this list who are long shots. Illinois might be involved in their recruitment, but sometimes teams like Duke and the other bluebloods throw their weight around.

Max Christie is someone who I want on the Illinois roster when 2021 rolls around. This kid is one of the best recruits to come out of the state of Illinois in decades. He is a player who could take the Illini from a Sweet 16 contender to a national title team.

Christie is a 6-foot-6, 165-pound shooting guard from Rolling Meadows High School and resides in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. He is rated as a five-star recruit who is the No. 13 player in the class of 2021 and the No. 1 shooting guard in the nation. He is also the best player in the state of Illinois.

I would venture to say that Christie’s recruitment is going to end up coming down to two teams. I think Illinois is up there in the top two. They have the location factor and the coaching staff who can pull in big-time recruits from the state of Illinois.

The other team who I see as a legit threat to pull in Christie is Duke. When the Blue Devils have their eyes set on a recruit, it always seems like they get their way for one reason or another. They are pursuing Christie hard. I would say they probably have a slight lead in his recruitment.

Illini in contact with graduate transfer Ray Salnave. dark. Next

Christie is a great player. Illinois would probably slot him in as the starting No. 2 or 3. He would come in and light the world on fire. If the Illini could bring him in, the roster would be national title caliber. We would need to think of a catchy name for this title-contending Illinois team.

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