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Illinois Basketball: Illini recruiting big board for 2022 as of June 14

By Rees Woodcock

Mar 1, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood is seen prior to a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood is seen prior to a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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CHAMPAIGN , IL – NOVEMBER 13: The Illinois Fighting Illini logo on a pair of shorts during a college basketball game against the Georgetown Hoyas at the State Farm Center on November 13, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
CHAMPAIGN , IL – NOVEMBER 13: The Illinois Fighting Illini logo on a pair of shorts during a college basketball game against the Georgetown Hoyas at the State Farm Center on November 13, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

2. AJ Casey

Not a lot of athletes the caliber of AJ Casey come through the doors of the State Farm Center. This kid is special and would be tremendous with the Orange and Blue. Getting him to come to Illinois might be a challenge, though.

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 five-star recruit who is ranked as the No. 20 player in the class of 2022. He is also the No. 5 power forward in the nation and the best player coming out of Illinois.

Illinois was the first big-time program to come in with an offer to Casey back in March 2019. The interest continued to build from there with just about every program in the nation wanting this kid. The first official visit is off the table with Ohio State having the first crack at him. That visit took place two weekends ago. There isn’t another official visit scheduled as of right now.

Prediction/Analysis

The ability to land Casey got much more difficult with our coaching staff departing for other programs. There was a lot of recruiting power with our assistant coaches, so that will provide an obstacle for the Illini.

It does seem that Ohio State is the leader in the clubhouse right now. I would bet Illinois does get an official visit, though. The fact we aren’t top of mind concerns me. Clearly, that seems to be the Buckeyes.

We have a while until national signing day, so a lot can change in the coming months. But if I had to predict today, I would say this is Ohio State’s recruitment to lose. Hopefully, Illinois’ coaching staff can sneak in and really do some work.

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