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Illinois Basketball: 4 transfer options to fill the Illini roster

By Rees Woodcock

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 14: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini talks to the fans after winning the Big Ten Basketball Championship over the Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 14, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 14: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini talks to the fans after winning the Big Ten Basketball Championship over the Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 14, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – DECEMBER 06: General view of Illinois Fighting Illini basketballs seen before the game against the IUPUI Jaguars at State Farm Center on December 6, 2016 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – DECEMBER 06: General view of Illinois Fighting Illini basketballs seen before the game against the IUPUI Jaguars at State Farm Center on December 6, 2016 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

3. Marcus Watson Jr.

There have been a few underrated recruits I wanted Illinois to snag over the past five or so years. One of the top underrated recruits was Marcus Watson Jr. It hurt losing him, but we could have another chance at securing his commitment.

Watson was a 5-foot-11, 155-pound point guard coming out of Morgan Park High School and residing in Chicago, Illinois. He was rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 253 player in the class of 2020. He was also the No. 41 point guard in the nation and the No. 6 player coming out of Illinois.

Illinois was one of the teams who offered Watson a scholarship coming out of high school. But the talented guard ended up picking Western Illinois as his landing spot. In the one season he was with the Leathernecks, Watson averaged 3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in just 12 games of action. Now he is looking for a new home.

I think Watson would be a great option as a primary backup to Andre Curbelo next season. He would come in and get his feet wet at the Big Ten level. I could see him getting somewhere in the ballpark of 10-15 minutes per game.

With two scholarships available, Illinois needs to secure a solid backup point guard to handle the ball when Curbelo is off the floor. I think Watson would be a great option for this spot. It would be nice to see Brad Underwood pursue this option.

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