Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: 3 reasons Justin Smith would be perfect fit for Illini

By Rees Woodcock

BLOOMINGTON, IN - FEBRUARY 23: Justin Smith #3 of the Indiana Hoosiers brings the ball up court during the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Assembly Hall on February 23, 2020 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - FEBRUARY 23: Justin Smith #3 of the Indiana Hoosiers brings the ball up court during the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Assembly Hall on February 23, 2020 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 11: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini is seen during the game against the Michigan State Spartans at State Farm Center on February 11, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 11: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini is seen during the game against the Michigan State Spartans at State Farm Center on February 11, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

3. He is from Illinois

I previously mentioned this, but when Justin Smith was first being recruited by Illinois, it was a different coaching regime at the controls. There isn’t a single coach who was on that staff that is currently employed by Illinois right now.

It doesn’t come as a surprise to me that Smith shied away from Champaign. John Groce wasn’t a good recruiter and didn’t have a good connection with the Chicago area and some of the AAU programs in the state.

But we have a different coach leading the way now. Brad Underwood was hired in 2017 to lead this program back to prominence. He hired a great coaching staff that could recruit. And this dream team coaching staff has done a great job building back the relationships that are so vital to the success of this program.

One of those relationships is with the Chicago area and an AAU program called the Mac Irvin Fire. Illinois has been able to snag some great players from the Mac Irvin Fire program. Ayo Dosunmu was the first big fish to land. Underwood followed Ayo up with a huge commitment from Adam Miller.

This pipeline that is being rebuilt is something that shouldn’t be taken for granted. It is important to build this so we can have success moving forward. Smith was a part of the Mac Irvin Fire when he was in high school. While he attended Stevenson High School up in Lincolnshire, Illinois, he still suited up for the Mac Irvin Fire.

Next. Top 3 Illini point guards of all-time. dark

Bringing Smith back to his home state would be great for the program and for him as a player. He would have a chance to play in front of his family and friends. He would also be able to play with Ayo (potentially), Miller and Da’Monte Williams, who all played for the Mac Irvin Fire. This seems like it would be a match made in heaven.

Home/Illinois Basketball