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Illinois Basketball: Top 4 best options for the Illini class of 2021

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 24: An Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleader is seen before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at State Farm Center on February 24, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 24: An Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleader is seen before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at State Farm Center on February 24, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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PISCATAWAY, NJ – FEBRUARY 15: The logo of the Illinois Fighting Illini on the uniform shorts during in a college basketball game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Rutgers Athletic Center on February 15, 2020 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

1. Mac Etienne

With the options narrowing for 2021, the biggest recruit on the Illinois big board continues to be Mac Etienne.

The tremendous size at 6-foot-10, 220-pounds, puts Etienne right in the crosshairs for the Illinois coaching staff. The Brewster Academy center checks in as the No. 46 player in the class of 2021 and the No. 8 center in the nation. With the likely departure of big man Kofi Cockburn, the Illini will need to fill the void with another suitable No. 5.

Currently, on the Illinois roster, there isn’t much in the way of a full-time replacement for Kofi. Options such as Jermaine Hamlin and Coleman Hawkins seem like solid players to spell minutes throughout a game, but they aren’t the answer to the No. 5 spot moving forward.

Someone like Etienne would be a perfect fit on the Illinois roster. A combination of size and strength, mixed in with solid athletic ability, Etienne is set up for success at the next level. He could join the Orange and Blue and start from day one.

On the recruiting front, the recruitment of Etienne has been pretty close to the vest. There are a handful of teams that still think they are alive for his commitment. Illinois was the last program to get a live official visit with the kid, though. I would think we are still one of his top choices at this point.

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