Illinois Basketball: 3 reasons Mac Etienne should be priority No. 1 for Illini

3. Etienne is extremely talented

The first two reasons for making Mac Etienne a top priority is the availability of big men in the upcoming classes and the fact we are going to need a No. 5 either this year or next year. Those are two obvious reasons and ones everyone can agree on.

I believe there is one more reason Illinois should make Etienne a top priority. This reason is extremely simple and is something you can see just by watching the talented big. The final reason is; Etienne is extremely talented.

Yes, talent is a huge reason why the Illini need to have this kid as the top recruit right now heading into the future. There is so much to love about his game. He would fit in well with what Brad Underwood wants to do on the court.

I will first start off with his size. Etienne checks in at 6-foot-10, 220 pounds. That is the size of someone who can body other players in the paint. Illinois is going to need that size. But his ability to move with the size is what excites me the most about this kid.

Etienne has solid handles. He can dribble well and isn’t just a lumbering big man. This kid displays a great ability to run up and down the court without getting winded. He will come into the college game and will be able to transition easily.

I previously mentioned that Etienne is a top 60 player for the class of 2021. That number is legit in my eyes. He is someone who is going to make a huge difference on a team. I just hope that team is the Illini.