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Illinois Basketball: Illini eyeing DIII transfer three-point specialist

By Rees Woodcock

TULSA, OK - MARCH 20: A view of the ball during the third round game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Kansas Jayhawks in the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at BOK Center on March 20, 2011 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
TULSA, OK - MARCH 20: A view of the ball during the third round game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Kansas Jayhawks in the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at BOK Center on March 20, 2011 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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With a couple of spots on the roster to fill, the Illinois basketball team is continuing to eye transfers across the nation.

Two transfers have already been added to the roster in Omar Payne and Alfonso Plummer. Payne is going to help solidify the No. 5 spot while Plummer will help on the wing. But I wouldn’t mind adding another scoring guard to the mix who can light it up from three-point range. That seems to be the mindset for the Illini as well.

According to Jake Lieberman of Pro Insight, Illinois is one of the many schools to be in contact with DIII Washington University star, Jack Nolan. Illini Nation might not be excited about a potential DIII transfer, but Nolan has the ability to drop bombs from three-point range.


The only offer right now, according to Lieberman, is Stony Brook, but more offers are sure to come. Illinois joins the mix of programs eying Nolan which includes Iowa, Stanford and St. John’s, among others.

What would Jack Nolan bring to the Illinois basketball program?

Have you watched this kid play? Nolan has a ball out on the court, pun intended. He has a Steph Curry-like energy of controlled chaos and the ability to hit a shot from, literally, anywhere on the court.

The last season Nolan played, thanks to the pandemic, was 2019-20. He averaged 18.5 points that season while shooting 40.1-percent from three-point range. He was taking an incredible 7.9 three-pointers per game as well.

Illinois needs a shooting spark, and Nolan would be able to provide it. The handles on this kid are amazing as well. Plus, Nolan went to high school at Benet Academy and is from Lisle, Illinois. The location factor is already there. He is also attending Washington University, where Josh Whitman was the athletic director before coming to Illinois.

Next. Illini commit Brandin Podziemski is next up. dark

I implore you to go watch some of Nolan’s highlights from his last season. This kid has talent, and Illinois could use someone like him to give the program a spark. He will be someone to keep an eye on to see if the Illini extend an offer.

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