Illinois Basketball: Bryce Hopkins and Illini meeting via Zoom

Illinois basketball has a few big targets left for 2021, and they are meeting with one of the targets on Thursday.

According to Jake Weingarten of Stockrisers, Illinois and Bryce Hopkins are meeting via Zoom on Thursday. This is a huge meeting for both sides as Illini head coach Brad Underwood tries to add to what needs to be a great class of 2021.

Hopkins isn’t just your average recruit. The 6-foot-7, 220-pound forward is ranked inside the top 40 for the class of 2021 and is the second-best state of Illinois recruit, only second to Michigan State pledge Max Christie.

At one time, Hopkins was committed to Louisville to play basketball. I thought his recruitment was completed when the announced his decision, but he has reopened his options and everyone seems to be calling. It is good that Illinois is seriously involved this time around, though.

Let’s not forget about the ramifications of a potential Hopkins commitment. He would add to the already talented Illini team that features Adam Miller, another in-state talent from the class of 2020. But Hopkins would give the Orange and Blue the No. 2 player in the state of Illinois for 2021, and Underwood is eyeing the No. 3 player in Brandon Weston as well.

Illinois could really make an in-state impact for the class of 2021. If this happens, the 2021-22 rendition of the Illini would be something special. The lineup would look something like Andre Curbelo, Adam Miller, Brandon Weston, Bryce Hopkins and Giorgi Bezhanishvili rounding out the starting lineup at the No. 5 spot.

The Illini would also have Luke Goode being the sixth-man and getting some solid minutes. That is a dangerous team that no Big Ten squad wants to face. Plus, we would have three out of the five starters from the state of Illinois. I am all for that.

I love to hear that Illinois is having a Zoom call with Hopkins. It would be the steal of the century if we could flip this guy back to the Orange and Blue.