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Illinois Basketball: Rerating every Illini recruit from the 2010s

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - MARCH 08: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini breaks up a scuffle between Da'Monte Williams #20 of the Illinois Fighting Illini and Connor McCaffery #30 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the game at State Farm Center on March 8, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - MARCH 08: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini breaks up a scuffle between Da'Monte Williams #20 of the Illinois Fighting Illini and Connor McCaffery #30 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the game at State Farm Center on March 8, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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PISCATAWAY, NJ – FEBRUARY 25: Leron Black
PISCATAWAY, NJ – FEBRUARY 25: Leron Black /

9. Leron Black (Old: 4-star/0.9839 – New: 4-star/0.9588)

I am not finished with players who were extremely talented but made a bad decision or two during their time with the Illinois basketball program. The next player on the list is Leron Black.

Black was a 6-foot-7, 215-pound power forward from White Station High School and residing in Memphis, Tennessee. He was rated as a four-star recruit who was the No. 42 player in the class of 2014 and the No. 7 power forward in the nation. He also had a composite rating of 0.9839.

Illinois got some size with Black from the class of 2014. John Groce needed a player like him, but it took him a few years to develop. Before Black’s junior year started, Illinois changed coaches. Brad Underwood entered the picture and helped the talented forward tremendously.

Black would end up averaging 15.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game as a junior. He would have one year of eligibility remaining too. But, sadly, Black got some bad advice and instead of coming back for one more year, he departed for the NBA. He didn’t end up getting drafted and is now with House of Pagin in The Basketball Tournament.

I always thought Black was a good player, but being a four-star with a rating of 0.9839 was a bit too much. I believe he is more of a four-star with a rating of 0.9588. That makes Black a solid four-star recruit.

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