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Illinois Basketball: Illini make top 6 for Sam Ayomide

By Collin Allen

CHAMPAIGN , IL - NOVEMBER 13: The Big 10 logo on the floor before a college basketball game between the Georgetown Hoyas and the Illinois Fighting Illini at the State Farm Center on November 13, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
CHAMPAIGN , IL - NOVEMBER 13: The Big 10 logo on the floor before a college basketball game between the Georgetown Hoyas and the Illinois Fighting Illini at the State Farm Center on November 13, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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The Illinois basketball program is one step closer to landing a big-time recruit at a key position.

Head coach Brad Underwood and the Fighting Illini received great news Sunday as 2021 big man Sam Ayomide announced his top-six schools on Twitter.

The six schools on Ayomide’s list were Memphis, Kansas, Seton Hall, Providence, Wake Forest, and the Illini, of course.

Ayomide is a 6-foot-11, 220-pound center currently attending The Phelps School in Malvern, Pennsylvania.  The Malvern native is a three-star recruit and is the No. 138 ranked player in the nation.  Ayomide also ranks as the No. 28 center in the class of 2021 and the No. 7 player in the state of Pennsylvania.  Throughout his recruitment, the 6-foot-11 center picked up a total of fourteen offers.

What would the Illini be getting with a commitment from Ayomide?

The Illini would be getting a player who uses his size to his advantage in the paint.  Watching Ayomide’s film, he has no problem out-muscling his opponents under the basket both on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor.

Offensively, Ayomide primarily plays down low and can create scoring opportunities using his 6-foot-11, 220-pound body frame and his strength to his advantage.  Ayomide would be able to get the State Farm Center rocking with a monstrous two-handed slam.

Additionally, Ayomide possesses excellent awareness as he is always there to follow missed shots by his teammates with a put-back finish.  Defensively, Ayomide has no trouble making big-time blocks, most of them being two-handed swats against the backboard.

Ultimately, Coach Underwood would be filling a big need at the center position, given that there is a good chance the Illini lose current big man Kofi Cockburn to the NBA after this upcoming season. Illinois would be replacing Kofi with a player who, like Kofi, could be a valuable asset on both ends of the floor.

Next. Top 3 recruiting targets after Illini miss on Jordan Nesbitt. dark

Memphis is currently the favorite, according to 247sports, but that could change any given day. Do not write the Illini off on this recruitment.

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