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Illinois Basketball: Illini rise in final class of 2020 rankings

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 24: An Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleader is seen before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at State Farm Center on February 24, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 24: An Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleader is seen before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at State Farm Center on February 24, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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The Illinois basketball class of 2020 is one of the best group of players brought in by the program in years.

I couldn’t be happier with the talent coming in this season. Adam Miller, Andre Curbelo and Coleman Hawkins should provide youth and energy to this team. These three players are the foundation of future success for the program.

Their talents have been recognized nationally as well. 247Sports has released their final rankings for the class of 2020, and some of the Illini recruits mentioned above don the updated list. Here is where each player ranks.

Adam Miller

Miller leads the way for the Illini class of 2020. Coming into the final rankings, he was rated as a four-star recruit who was the No. 48 player in the nation. The updated rankings by 247Sports have him moving up to the No. 32 player in the class. This was a 16-spot jump.

Illinois fans should be excited about Miller. This kid can do everything on the basketball court. His ability to shoot the ball really stands out, though. I think he is going to help make the transition from former high school teammate, Ayo Dosunmu, much smoother.

Andre Curbelo

The next player up on the list is Curbelo. I believe he is the most underrated recruit we have had in a while. Not enough people are talking about what he brings to the table. Curbelo was rated as a four-star recruit who was the No. 72 player in the nation coming into the new rankings. He is now ranked as the No. 54 player in the class of 2020. That is an 18-spot jump.

Curbelo will fill the void left by Andres Feliz. The passing ability is what really stands out to me about Curbelo’s game. He is going to be a floor general for this program. Look for both Curbelo and Miller to start right away for the Orange and Blue.

Coleman Hawkins

247Sports only did their top 150 and Hawkins wasn’t on the list for some reason. I think this is a mistake by the people at 247Sports because Hawkins is going to be a big-time contributor for the Illini. Their composite rankings do have him as a three-star recruit who is the No. 144 player in the class of 2020, though.

Next. Illini don Mel Kiper’s top 5 at each position. dark

I believe Hawkins has been overlooked his entire high school career. He played for the prestigious Prolific Prep, so there were other kids getting more attention. At one time, his composite ranking dropped all the way down to No. 220 in the nation. But he has started to get more attention and his game started to show through. I think this kid is going to do some great things with the Orange and Blue.

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