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Illinois Basketball: Illini targeting the Hoosier State with recent offer

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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Illinois basketball started tapping into the Indiana recruiting market for 2021, and it seems they are trying to dive back in for 2023.

The Illini being able to land Luke Goode from the class of 2021 was big for the program. He is from Fort Wayne, which is a market Illinois isn’t familiar with. But all you have to do is take a drive down I-69 to find one of the next Indiana recruiting targets in Joey Brown.

Brown is a 6-foot-5, 190-pound point guard from North Central High School and resides in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is rated as a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 6 player coming out of the state of Indiana. Brown is also starting to pick up some serious recruiting attention.


IUPUI was the first DI offer for Brown, but this past April, LSU came in with an offer for the star guard. On Thursday, the Illini officially entered the mix with an offer. Don’t be surprised if his recruitment starts to blow up from this point on.

Illinois basketball tapping into the Indianapolis area is a great idea.

Throughout time, Indianapolis and the surrounding area have been a hotbed for talented recruits. Some of the biggest names being Mike Conley, Greg Oden and, yes, Eric Gordon. But Illinois has struck out on all of those talented players. Tides could be turning, though.

The 2023 class is producing some great talent coming out of the state of Indiana. Along with Brown, you have some of the top players in the nation coming from the Hoosier State.

Aden Holloway and Jeremy Fears both play for La Lumiere, which is the school Jalen Coleman-Lands came from when he committed to the Illini. They are both top 50 recruits. Jalen Hooks, a name many Illini fans are familiar with, is out of Crispus Attucks in Indianapolis. He is a top 60 recruit.

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So, while success has been few and far between when it comes to Indiana recruiting, there is some hope Illinois can start creating a pipeline to the area. Landing a player like Brown would help in the cause. Let’s see if Brad Underwood and his staff can plant their flag.

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