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

By Rees Woodcock

Mar 12, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; A fan of the Illinois Fighting Illini waves a flag in support as they celebrate defeating the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; A fan of the Illinois Fighting Illini waves a flag in support as they celebrate defeating the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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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) /

2. AJ Casey – Forward, 6-foot-8, 180-pounds

During Brad Underwood’s time in Champaign, Illinois has been able to land some top talent each season. This has enabled the Illini to land in the top 25 nationally in three out of his four recruiting classes. A player like AJ Casey would cement us in the top 25 once again.

Casey is a 6-foot-8, 180-pound power forward from Whitney Young High School and resides in Chicago, Illinois. He is rated as a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 29 player in the class of 2022. He is also the No. 5 power forward in the nation and the best player from the state of Illinois.

Everyone wants Casey to come to their school, but there hasn’t been a list cut just yet. There also haven’t been any official visits scheduled for the talented forward. I would assume those are coming soon, though. Illinois is one of the programs that continues to be a strong presence in his recruitment, and hopefully, that will pay off in the end.

Casey is a monster on the high school level. He is bigger, faster and stronger than most of the competition he is facing. Casey can drive to the hoop with an energy that can’t be matched. He is aggressive on the boards and when you least expect it, he can step out and hit a mid-range jumper or a three-point shot. When I see his game, I think of a slightly taller Andrew Wiggins. Both players are just athletic freaks.

Illinois basketball needs someone like Casey. If they can lock him in for a year, then the program can continue their push to win their first national title.

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