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Illinois Basketball: 3 options for the Illini after missing on Enoch Boakye

By Rees Woodcock

Mar 19, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) shoots against Drexel during the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) shoots against Drexel during the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 21, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Baylor Bears forward Flo Thamba (0) shoots against Wisconsin Badgers forward Nate Reuvers (35) during the first half in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Baylor Bears forward Flo Thamba (0) shoots against Wisconsin Badgers forward Nate Reuvers (35) during the first half in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Nate Reuvers

Wait, what? Who? That Nate Reuvers? Yes, that Nate Reuvers. On Friday night, Reuvers announced he was entering the transfer portal, leaving him a chance to go somewhere and have a big graduate transfer year.

Reuvers is a solid big man at 6-foot-11, 235-pounds. He brings a solid skillset to the table as well. I love his touch in and around the paint. He can post up on the block and back a man down, or he can get the ball in the paint and create his own shot against a defender.

The ability for Reuvers to score is there in general. He hits 78-percent of his free throws while also developing his three-point shooting. During his best season – his junior year – Reuvers averaged 13.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. Those are solid numbers.

If Illinois doesn’t have Kofi Cockburn this upcoming season, Reuvers would be a great plug-and-play option. The talent is obviously there, but an underrated element about Reuvers is his experience.

Just this past season alone, Reuvers helped Wisconsin get to the second round of the NCAA tournament. Illinois fans have experienced the talent of this kid over the years as well. He has shown he can be a solid No. 5 when given the chance. The Illini might be able to provide him that opportunity.

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