Writing Illini
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Illinois basketball
CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 18: Illinois Fighting Illini forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) shoots a jump shot over Northwestern Wildcats forward Robbie Beran (31) during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 18, 2020, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Big man development

Before Brad Underwood took over the Illinois basketball program, Illinois was struggling in the big man department. Meyers Leonard was the most notable big man but that was two coaches prior to Underwood.

Since Underwood took the reins to the Fighting Illini, the big men have flocked in and the development is clear. The coaching staff that has been assembled around Underwood has helped the big man development as well.

The first example of great big man development is Giorgi Bezhanishvili. A 6-foot-9, 230-pound talent coming out of high school, Giorgi wasn’t highly regarded. He checked in as the No. 373 player in the class of 2018. But, with the help of the Illini coaches, Giorgi has formed into a solid Big Ten player and someone who is a big team guy.

Another example of the great development Illinois has shown when it comes to big men is Kofi Cockburn. The 6-foot-10, 290-pound monster was only the No. 46 player in the class of 2019 but has shown the world he should have been a top 20 player in his class.

Kofi is forming into one of the best, if not the best, centers in Illinois basketball history. His development everywhere on the court, including the free throw line, is something to marvel at. Kofi will end up being a first-round NBA Draft pick as well.

So, the development at the No. 5 spot, or at least for big men, is there. Illinois’ coaching staff has done a great job with progression in this area.

Home/Illinois Basketball Recruiting