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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup with the addition of Jayden Epps

By Rees Woodcock

Feb 7, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; The national anthem is preformed prior to the first half before a game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Maryland Terrapins at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; The national anthem is preformed prior to the first half before a game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Maryland Terrapins at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 20, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jacob Grandison (3) drives to the basket while Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Both Gach (11) defends in the first half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Berding-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jacob Grandison (3) drives to the basket while Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Both Gach (11) defends in the first half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Berding-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4 Forward

Starter: Jacob Grandison (GR Transfer)

The No. 4 spot for the Illini is also up in the air. As of right now, I am going to still have Jacob Grandison starting in this role. I believe he can still be with the team when the 2022-23 campaign rolls around because he has two years of eligibility remaining thanks to the COVID year not counting.

Grandison was in a timeshare with Da’Monte Williams this past season. He eventually moved into the starting role on the team, though. Grandison did a little bit of everything and whatever the team needed. That is what I love about his game. If we needed him to drop 15 points, he could do it. I think this will be his role during the 2022-23 season as well.

Backup: Coleman Hawkins (3-star)

Grandison could easily be in a timeshare two seasons from now. It won’t be with Williams, though. I think Coleman Hawkins will be a force when it comes to the starting No. 4 spot for the Illini.

Hawkins showed spurts of solid basketball play as a freshman last season. He didn’t get a ton of time, but when he did see the court, Hawkins performed well. You can tell his 6-foot-10 size is going to be a huge asset to the Illini program over the next couple of seasons. If we can get Hawkins hitting shots from the outside, then I think he has a solid chance of starting by 2022-23. But, for now, I have him as the primary backup and in a timeshare with Grandison.

Backup: RJ Melendez (4-star)

This upcoming season is going to be extremely important for RJ Melendez. He is going to have a chance to make a name for himself. I think Melendez is one of the most underrated recruits Illinois has snagged over the past 10 years. He has a nice big body and is able to score the basketball. I have him as a backup at the No. 4 spot in 2022-23, but that could all change with a solid freshman season.

Backup: Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk (NR)

Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk is the final backup at the No. 4 spot. I am not sure Illinois’ plans on using him moving forward, but I just don’t see him getting much playing time. If he does see the floor, it should be for garbage minutes.

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