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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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COLLEGE PARK, MD – FEBRUARY 16: Aquan Smart #23 of the Maryland Terrapins handles the ball against Jace Piatkowski #21 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Xfinity Center on February 16, 2021 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD – FEBRUARY 16: Aquan Smart #23 of the Maryland Terrapins handles the ball against Jace Piatkowski #21 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Xfinity Center on February 16, 2021 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /

4. Aquan Smart

As mentioned in an earlier slide, guard depth is still something I am looking for before the upcoming season tips off. One of the newer options on the transfer market is Aquan Smart.

Coming out of Niles North High School and residing in Skokie, Illinois, Smart was rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 417 player in the class of 2020. He was also ranked as the No. 47 combo-guard in the country and the No. 8 player in the state of Illinois.

There was a lot of mid-major attention for Smart, but the one big program to come in with an offer was Maryland. Smart would end up picking the Terrapins as his landing spot for last season. Smart didn’t see a ton of action in year one, though. He played in 22 games and averaged 1.4 points and 0.9 rebounds per game.

Smart is now looking to make a move as he has entered the transfer portal. Illinois was not in on his recruitment the first time around, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be this time. The Illini needs more depth in the backcourt, so having someone who has experience at the DI level come in wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Next. Illini lineup with Alfonso Plummer and Trent Frazier. dark

I would like for the Illini to at least entertain the possibility of Smart being an option. He might not come to Champaign, but we need to look at all options. Smart would be a great role piece off the bench.

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