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Illinois Basketball: 3 reasons why Bryce Hopkins should pick the Illini

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 18: A. Illinois Fighting Illini logo is seen on the side of a basketball before the start of the during the college basketball game between the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors and the Illinois Fighting Illini on November 18, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 18: A. Illinois Fighting Illini logo is seen on the side of a basketball before the start of the during the college basketball game between the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors and the Illinois Fighting Illini on November 18, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Ayo Dosunmu
CHAMPAIGN, IL – MARCH 08: Head coach Brad Underwood and Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini embrace following the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at State Farm Center on March 8, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

3. Home state legend

Since Brad Underwood took over the Illinois basketball program, there has been a trend developing. The Illini are starting to keep the top in-state talent home and developing those players into elite products.

It all started with the class of 2018. Underwood and his staff pulled in top 40 recruit, Ayo Dosunmu. He was the best player in the state of Illinois, by far, and someone who could put the Orange and Blue back on the map. Ayo’s ascension has made him a basketball hero in the state of Illinois.

The good vibes didn’t stop there, though. Illinois did some work in the class of 2020 as well. While the top player – by only seven spots nationally – in the state of Illinois went to Duke, the Illini were able to land Adam Miller.

Miller, in my eyes, is the best player to come out of the class of 2020 in the state of Illinois. He brings more to the table. Either way, Illinois was able to land this talented guard. Underwood continued the building presence with in-state recruits. Miller is going to show up in Champaign and become a legend like Ayo.

Isaac McKneely hearing from Illini. dark. Next

And now it is Bryce Hopkins’ turn to become a legend. He has a chance to become a legend at a different position than both Miller and Ayo. Illinois hasn’t had a ton of all-time great in-state forwards. Hopkins could be in a class of his own at the position. The opportunity awaits the great recruit.

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