Illinois Basketball: Top 5 Illini recruiting targets for the class of 2022

Illinois basketball is down to one commitment for 2022, but there are still plenty of names left on the board.

With quite a few roster spots likely to be open for the 2022-23 campaign, Illini head coach Brad Underwood and his revamped coaching staff will need to piece together what will hopefully be another Big Ten Tournament champion.

Here are the top five targets left for the Illinois basketball class of 2022.

1. Kyle Thomas – Center, 6-foot-9, 220-pounds

Not every recruit comes with a ton of stars or the highest ranking. I think Illinois would be set at the No. 5 spot if they were able to land a player like Kyle Thomas.

Thomas is a 6-foot-9, 220-pound center from St. Joseph High School and resides in Westchester, Illinois. He is rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 25 center in the class of 2022. He is also the No. 6 player in the state of Illinois.

The recruitment of Thomas started to heat up in 2020, as four different programs offered the big man a scholarship. Illinois and Western Illinois were the two in-state schools to see his potential, but he also had Arizona and Nebraska checking in with an offer.

Thomas’ game is one that will help any team in the country. The size alone is making him an intriguing recruit, but what he does with his size is what amazes me the most. Thomas is light on his feet, as he is able to catch the ball and get to the hoop from just about anywhere on the court. Don’t discount his shot, though. Thomas has solid touch from outside the paint as well.

I see a lot of Karl-Anthony Towns in Thomas. Obviously, he isn’t nearly as polished as Towns, but that will come with time. Thomas would help the Illini tremendously at the No. 5 spot.