Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup with the dream class of 2021

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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Feb 2, 2020; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; The Illinois Fighting Illini bench reacts during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2020; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; The Illinois Fighting Illini bench reacts during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1 Guard

Starter: Andre Curbelo

It is hard to say how good Andre Curbelo is going to end up being, but I just know that this kid will be special for the Orange and Blue. Coming into the Illinois program, Curbelo was rated as a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 44 player in the class of 2020. Being top 50 in his class is a great accomplishment.

Curbelo is going to give Illinois a spark off the bench in year one, but by the time the 2021-22 campaign rolls around, he will take over for Ayo Dosunmu as the No. 1 guard spot. Curbelo will bring the ball up the court and get the offense going. This Illinois program will be a well-oiled machine and it will have a lot to do with Curbelo being one of the leaders.

Backup: Tyty Washington

The backup to Curbelo will hopefully be someone Illinois is trying to currently land for the class of 2021. Yes, the Illini are still in the running for the talented point guard, Tyty Washington. The Chandler, Arizona native is going to be a beast in the college game.

Washington is rated as a four-star recruit who is the No. 67 player in the class of 2021. He hasn’t committed anywhere just yet, but Illinois seems to be making up ground in the race to land the talented guard. Having Washington as the backup to Curbelo would give Illinois so much quality depth.