Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup with the RJ Melendez commitment

No. 3 Guard

Starter: Adam Miller (SO)

Most of the starters for the Illinois basketball program this season should also be starting next year. This includes current true freshman, Adam Miller. He has been thrown to the wolves and has proved, at times, that he is a Big Ten caliber player already in his young career.

Having Miller as the starting No. 3 guard for the Illini is a no-brainer. There have been struggles this season from the Peoria native, but there have also been some glimpses of greatness. Miller is currently averaging 8.7 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. He isn’t a ball distributor by any means and most of the time, Miller has difficulty creating his own shot. But he will develop the shot-making ability. That will come with time.

Backup: RJ Melendez (FR)

As I mentioned earlier, Illinois has secured two commitments for the class of 2021 thus far. Luke Goode was the first commitment, and I have him as the backup at the No. 2 guard spot. The other commitment to the class for the Illini is RJ Melendez. A talented 6-foot-7 wing, Melendez should bring a ton of athletic ability to the Illinois basketball program.

Melendez is a Florida native who can jump out of the gym. This kid has a buttery game that will translate well to the college level. I see him as a Malcolm Hill-type player. He is skilled enough to make a shot from anywhere on the court, but he is also long enough to give opposing offenses trouble. I see Melendez stepping into the No. 3 guard spot as a backup year one and playing a decent number of minutes.