Illinois Basketball: 5 reasons Illini fans should be optimistic about the future

3. Future recruiting

When Brad Underwood was hired in 2017, the Illinois basketball recruiting portfolio expanded. The previous regime wasn’t great at recruiting, but Underwood and his new staff hit the ground running.

The first class Underwood brought in was in 2018. This class featured Ayo Dosunmu and Giorgi Bezhanishvili, two main staples in the great back-to-back NCAA tournament seasons. It also featured Andres Feliz, who was a big contributor. Alan Griffin was also a part of that class, and he is tearing it up for Syracuse right now.

2019 brought in one of the best big men we have ever seen suit up for Illinois. Kofi Cockburn, a top 50 recruit, picked the Illini and gave stability to the No. 5 spot. This is something that had eluded us since the Meyers Leonard days.

Underwood had his best haul in 2020 with the addition of Adam Miller, Andre Curbelo and Coleman Hawkins. These three will be the centerpieces to what should be a title-contending team for years to come.

The ability to recruit has been shown by three great classes. So, the future of Illinois basketball recruiting should be in good hands. The Illini have already done some impressive work for the future as well.

Illinois’ class of 2021 will bring in top 100 recruit Luke Goode. He is signed with the program already. Ramses Melendez has committed to the Orange and Blue, and he is also a top 100 recruit. The Illini also received their first commitment for 2022 with Reggie Bass pledging just days ago. He should be a great addition to the team.

There is no reason to worry if Illinois will have talent in the future. Underwood and his coaching staff have the ability to recruit great players. They have proved this with classes in the past and they are proving this with the talent they already have committed for the future.