Illinois Basketball: Illini recruiting wish list for the class of 2021

ANN ARBOR, MI - JANUARY 25: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood smiles as he talks to his team in a huddle during a timeout during a regular season Big Ten Conference game between the Illinois Fighting Illini (21) and the Michigan Wolverines on January 25, 2020, at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Illinois defeated Michigan 64-62. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – DECEMBER 06: General view of Illinois Fighting Illini basketballs seen before the game against the IUPUI Jaguars at State Farm Center on December 6, 2016 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

1. Micawber Etienne

Illinois seems to have been in the running for a handful of players for a while now. Micawber “Mac” Etienne is someone who I thought we would have snagged by now, but good things come to those who wait.

I am not giving up on this kid. Etienne is someone who would be the centerpiece to the class of 2021. He is a 6-foot-10, 220-pound center who now attends Brewster Academy. The recruiting attention he is getting is insane, though.

Etienne has roughly 19 scholarship offers, and there is speculation that he might stay closer to the east coast for his college choice. But I think Illinois still has a legit shot here. Etienne took an official visit to Champaign before everything shut down. He has a genuine interest in the program. Plus, Orlando Antigua is recruiting him, and he has the ability to pull in big men.

I would put Etienne No. 1 on my wish list because of the massive void he fills on the team. Kofi Cockburn will depart after his sophomore season, leaving the No. 5 spot open to someone. I think Etienne could come in and start from day one. This would shift Giorgi Bezhanishvili over to the No. 4 spot. Everything would work better with Etienne in the paint.

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