Illinois Basketball: Illini class of 2022 big man target reopens recruitment

As the Illinois basketball team continues their hunt for a replacement big man, their search may have just gotten a little harder.

The Illini have been after a wide range of talented recruits for the 2022 class. They have been able to secure one commitment so far, and that pledge is from Tennessee star, Reggie Bass. Illinois has been eyeing a few talented big men as well. One of those big men is Mady Traore.

Traore was offered by Illinois back in October 2020. Just about two months later, the talented big man cut his list down to eight teams and kept Kansas, Pittsburgh, Auburn, Virginia Tech, Florida, USC, Oregon and Illinois all alive for his commitment.

It looks like that top eight is no longer, though. On Monday morning, Traore posted on his Twitter account that he is reopening his recruitment. The tweet reads, “I’m reopening my recruitment 100%.”

This is somewhat surprising news. The big man is wanted by a number of programs around the country and is a highly-rated recruit. He is a four-star power forward with tremendous height and athletic ability. Traore is what every team in the country wants in the paint.

What does this mean for the Illinois basketball program?

It is hard to exactly pinpoint what Traore reopening his recruitment means for any team. All I can say is that it probably isn’t good news that he is expanding his recruitment once again. That means the top eight he had didn’t suffice and there is another option or two out there that he is eyeing.

Illinois’ coaching staff that was recruiting him pretty much all left the program. That is probably a negative mark against the Illini. But we do have a potential savior in Chester Frazier. Frazier was with Virginia Tech when they offered Traore back in October 2020 as well. So, there might be a connection there.

My prediction is that you shouldn’t be surprised if a team like Kentucky comes in with an offer to Traore. It doesn’t look like they have offered the big man a scholarship just yet, but the staff at Illinois that was recruiting him is now with the Wildcats. It wouldn’t shock me to see Kentucky become a player in this recruitment.

Hopefully, Illinois can get back in the race for Traore. I would love to see his athleticism develop in Champaign. This kid has a bright future in the college ranks.