Illinois Basketball: Illini in contact with Indiana transfer Justin Smith
By Jalen Wilson
The Illinois basketball coaching staff are looking to add more pieces for next season.
Illinois knows that they will have a shortage of forwards for the 2020-21 campaign. So, they have been trying to address that problem. It’s been reported that Indiana transfer Justin Smith has heard from the Orange and Blue. Smith is a graduate transfer, so he would be eligible to play next season.
Smith is a 6-foot-7, 230-pound power forward who suited up for Indiana for three seasons. During those three seasons, he put up career numbers of 8.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks per game. He also shot 50-percent from the field and 25-percent from three-point range.
I think the Illini will try to pursue him hard. It is still unclear whether Kofi Cockburn will keep his name in the NBA Draft or not. Even if Kofi does withdraw his name from the draft, I still think Illinois should make a strong push for Smith. If Kofi does keep his name in the draft, that would most likely mean Giorgi Bezhanishvili moves to the No. 5 spot. That scenario leaves the No. 4 spot open.
Smith has ties to Illinois as well. He is from Buffalo Grove, Illinois, so Champaign would be a destination that is near home. He would also, likely, have an opportunity to play Indiana at least two times during his final season. So, there are some reasons why Illinois could be a place for him to land.
I think it is good that the Illini has contacted Smith. He is a player who would be a good piece for this basketball team next season.