Illinois Basketball: Progress, departures and the future of the Illini

The Future

The Illini currently have two players committed for its 2021 recruiting class.  Shooting guard Luke Goode was the first 2021 player to commit to the Illini.  He is a 6-foot-7, 200-pound, four-star recruit who attended Homestead High School, located in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Goode is additionally ranked the No. 94 overall player in the nation for the 2021 class.  During his senior season at Homestead, Goode averaged 19.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 steals per contest.  He can score from anywhere on the floor but will be a huge threat behind the arc for the Illini, as he is a lethal three-point shooter.

Ramses (RJ) Melendez is the second commit for the Illini’s 2021 class.  Melendez, a 6-foot-7, 190-pound wing from Central Pointe Christian School, located in Kissimmee, FL, is a four-star recruit.

Melendez is currently ranked the No. 97 player in the nation by 247sports.  Like Goode, Melendez is a superb scorer who possesses the ability to score from anywhere on the court.  The four-star recruit also held offers from Alabama, DePaul, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, and others.

The Orange and Blue are still in the running for some other notable uncommitted 2021 prospects such as four-star combo guard Wesley Cardet, three-star guard Brandin Podziemski, and four-star guard Tyty Washington, who just de-committed from Creighton University.

The Illini will also have returning freshmen Andre Curbelo and Adam Miller, who both have the potential to make exponential leaps this upcoming season.  If Cockburn returns, and the Illini land at least one of their targeted uncommitted prospects, they could be right back in the NCAA tournament next season.

Don’t worry, Illini fans, the future is bright.  In the words of Ayo Dosunmu, “It’s a new era for (Illinois basketball) that’s only just begun.”