Illinois Basketball: Fighting Illini offer 2023 forward Matthew Bewley

Illinois basketball head coach Brad Underwood and staff continue to step on the gas pedal in the recruiting world after a key offer for the class of 2023.

It was announced earlier this month that the Fighting Illini offered 2023 Florida big man Matthew Bewley.

The 6-foot-8, 195-pound power forward from Fort Lauderdale, FL has been offered by nine other schools including Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Iowa State, and others.

During his freshman season at Northeast High School, Bewley averaged 19 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks per contest.  The power forward was named to the Class 5A first team in the state of Florida.  Additionally, Bewley was a first-team All-County selection, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Bewley is currently unranked by sites 247Sports and Rivals.

The power forward would be a huge get for Underwood, as Illinois should be in the market for a big man by the time 2023 rolls around.  The Fort Lauderdale native would arrive in Champaign following the senior seasons of current Illini big men Giorgi Bezhanishvili (2022) and Kofi Cockburn (2023).

Bewley’s arrival would help fill the huge gaps left by the two key Illini big men, as he would bring not only size but range and versatility to the table.  His tape includes many highlight dunks, athletic moves to the basket, and made contested three-pointers.

Assuming nobody transfers, Bewley would join then-senior Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk and then-junior Brandon Lieb (assuming he redshirts) as the expected Illini big men for the 2023-2024 season.

With a commitment, Bewley would be the first Illinois commit for the class of 2023.