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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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CHAMPAIGN, IL – DECEMBER 15: Samba Kane #34 of the Illinois Fighting Illini shoots a free throw in the game against the East Tennessee State Buccaneers in the first half at State Farm Center on December 15, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois.(Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

33. Samba Kane (Old: 3-star/0.8773 – New: 3-star/0.8133)

During the 2010s, there were a handful of players who could have been something solid for the program, but we didn’t end up seeing their full potential. I always thought big man Samba Kane could have been an all-time defensive stopper for the Orange and Blue.

Kane was a 6-foot-10, 205-pound center coming out of Florida Preparatory Academy and residing in Aurora, Colorado. He was rated as a three-star recruit who was the No. 282 player in the class of 2018 and the No. 43 center in the nation. He also had a composite rating of 0.8773.

There were times in year one where I thought Kane could have been something special. He was extremely raw and got lost on the court at times, but his defensive abilities were special. The kid played in 18 games as a freshman and averaged 1.5 points, 0.6 blocks and 0.5 rebounds per contest.

After just one season with the Illini, Kane decided to find a new home. He announced his intent to transfer out of the program. Kane would end up landing at the junior college level with Indian Hills Community College. This past season, he averaged 5.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.

Kane entered the Illinois program as a three-star recruit with a rating of 0.8773. This was closer to a four-star rating and a three-star rating. I think there needs to be a big change in his recruiting profile. I would peg Kane as a three-star recruit with a rating of 0.8133.

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