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Illinois Basketball: 3 reasons why Sam Ayomide should pick the Illini

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 28: Illinois Fighting Illini fans in the Orange Krush section cheer against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the ACC/Big Ten Challenge at Assembly Hall on November 28, 2012 in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois won 75-62. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 28: Illinois Fighting Illini fans in the Orange Krush section cheer against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the ACC/Big Ten Challenge at Assembly Hall on November 28, 2012 in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois won 75-62. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – MARCH 01: Jerome Hunter #21 of the Indiana Hoosiers shoots the ball into the block of Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on March 1, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – MARCH 01: Jerome Hunter #21 of the Indiana Hoosiers shoots the ball into the block of Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on March 1, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

1. Immediate need

With a lot of big-time talent comes the need to play early at the college level. That is a luxury the Illinois basketball team can present to big man Sam Ayomide.

Heading into the upcoming campaign, Illinois is pretty set at the No. 5 spot. There were some big questions in there for a while with Kofi Cockburn declaring for the NBA Draft, but he would ultimately return to help this program for the 2020-21 season.

While Kofi is only entering his sophomore campaign with the Orange and Blue, this is most likely going to be his final run with the team. If this is the case, Illinois is going to be in desperate need of a big man who can come in and fill the shoes of Kofi.

Behind Kofi are a few players who are more of a backup type of talent at this stage in their career. Jermaine Hamlin is the most experienced, but he is extremely raw. Someone like Coleman Hawkins or Brandon Lieb could step up in the future, but there is a development curve there too.

Honestly, as of right now, I would have Giorgi Bezhanishvili slide over to the No. 5 spot for his senior season if we can’t land a big man. That would be a struggle for the Illini.

So, there is plenty of room on the roster to add someone like Ayomide. He could come in and compete for the starting No. 5 spot from day one.

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