The focus continues on the class of 2022 as the Illinois basketball team is set to meet with a big-time target this week.
According to Jake Weingarten of Stockrisers, Illinois is set to meet with Isaac Traudt this week via a Zoom call. The news of the Zoom call comes just a little over a week after the Illini were reported to be in contact with the 2022 forward.
Traudt would be a big-time get for the Orange and Blue. The Grand Island, Nebraska native currently attends Grand Island High School. He checks in as a 6-foot-9, 195-pound power forward who is the No. 66 player in the class of 2022 and the No. 12 player in the nation at his position. He also registers in as the best player in Nebraska.
Over the past two months, 2022 prospect Isaac Traudt has become a national recruit. He talked his current offer sheet, new programs involved and more with @Stockrisers.
— Jake (@jakeweingarten) September 4, 2020
Plus, he will zoom with Illinois’ Brad Underwood next week👀 | Story: https://t.co/pZ8L5fI0nD pic.twitter.com/ikIjpDYPIU
The recruitment of Traudt has absolutely blown up. From the beginning of June until now, the talented forward has received at least 21 scholarship offers, most of which are from big-time programs. This kid is going to have his choice out of pretty much the entire nation.
It is exciting that Illinois is getting a Zoom call with Traudt, though. A Zoom call feels like the next step in building a solid relationship with the kid. I look at it as essentially an unofficial visit to campus at this point. If Traudt feels comfortable enough for a Zoom call, then I think we are probably a serious contender for his commitment.
There is a long way to go in Traudt’s recruitment. Illinois still has to lock up the class of 2021, which I believe has three more scholarships available. But laying the foundation for a great relationship with the class of 2022 is extremely important. It seems that Brad Underwood and the Illini coaching staff are doing a great job of accomplishing this goal.