Illinois basketball started targeting a big-time recruit from the 2024 class on Tuesday night.
Despite losing a recruit from the class of 2022, the Illini coaching staff didn’t get discouraged and forged ahead in their recruiting ventures. The most recent scholarship offer from the Orange and Blue was to a player in a recruiting area that isn’t familiar to traditional Illinois recruiting.
On Tuesday, Illinois offered a scholarship to David Castillo. He is a 6-foot-1, 165-pound point guard from Bartlesville High School and resides in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He isn’t rated or ranked due to the fact 247Sports doesn’t have the full 2024 rankings out just yet. But the scholarship attention is there for Castillo.
As of right now, the Oklahoma native has roughly four scholarship offers. Illinois joined the mix that included Kansas State, Oklahoma State and Tulsa. With more teams sure to come in with an offer, it is important for Illinois to build a strong relationship with Castillo this early in the game.
What would Castillo bring to the Illinois basketball program?
Since Castillo just finished up his freshman year and is entering his sophomore campaign, it is hard to really determine the progression of his game. But, from what I can tell, this kid has a great natural ability.
The court vision that Castillo possesses is phenomenal. He is always looking up and ready to make a play while moving. His game isn’t stagnant, which fits Brad Underwood and how he wants to play the game of basketball.
I love Castillo’s grind as well. The kid is always going and hustling up and down the court. There are no plays off for this kid, and that is what I want on the Illini roster.
Castillo isn’t looking to get his on every play. He is consistently looking to make the best play for the team. That is such a rare talent, and I hope it sticks with him throughout his final three years of high school.
Illinois getting in on the Castillo sweepstakes this early is a great idea. I love the offer and hope that the Illini coaching staff can build a strong relationship with the kid. He could be the future of this program.