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Illinois Basketball: 5 players to watch from the updated 2021 ESPN 100

By Rees Woodcock

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - FEBRUARY 18: The Illinois Fighting Illini logo on a pair of shorts during a college basketball game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Bryce Jordan Center on February 18, 2020 in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - FEBRUARY 18: The Illinois Fighting Illini logo on a pair of shorts during a college basketball game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Bryce Jordan Center on February 18, 2020 in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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Illinois basketball
CHICAGO – MARCH 14: The Illinois Fighting Illini cheer team runs around the court against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during a first round game of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 14, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. Illinois defeated Minnesota 51-49. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

The Illinois basketball program has a ton of work left to do when it comes to the class of 2021.

As of right now, northeast Indiana product Luke Goode is the lone commitment for the Illini in 2021. While he is an extremely talented wing who can knock down shots from anywhere on the court, he can’t be the only player to come in for the class of 2021.

Goode is a top 100 player, though. In the latest 2021 ESPN 100, Goode checks in as the No. 74 player in the nation. This is better than most of the other recruit sites, which has him barely inside the top 100.

The 2021 ESPN 100 also has a variety of other Illinois targets scattered around. The Illini have a ton of lines in the water right now as they try to catch a few more big fish to complete their class. If I had to take a guess, I would say the No. 5 spot should be a top priority right now. With Kofi Cockburn leaving sometime within the next year, there will be a huge void left at center.

But who is Illinois targeting to fill that void? Who will the Illini add to fill out the roster completely? Who are the top targets? All are valid questions.

Here are five players to watch from the 2021 ESPN 100.

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