Illinois Basketball: Illini targeting versatile big man in transfer portal

Illinois basketball is officially in the offseason, so the team is probing to see what transfers are out there in the portal.

Over the past few years, Brad Underwood has been able to land some great transfers for the Illini. Andres Feliz was a great point guard addition. Alfonso Plummer proved crucial this past season with his three-point shooting ability.

But, moving forward, Illinois is likely to need another big man to give Underwood options at the No. 5 spot. That is probably why he is eyeing Fardaws Aimaq.

On Wednesday, Jake Weingarten of Stockrisers.com reported that Illinois was one of the many schools that Aimaq has heard from since declaring he was transferring.

Aimaq is a 6-foot-11, 245-pound center who currently attends Utah Valley. He has spent three seasons in the college ranks and is now looking for a new home after having the best season of his career.

Fardaws Aimaq would give the Illinois basketball team a versatile big man.

I firmly believe Kofi Cockburn is done at Illinois. I think he is probably going to test the NBA waters and see what he can do in the professional ranks. This would leave the door wide open for someone to come in and take the starting job.

Aimaq would be an interesting option for the Illini. He has the size to play the No. 5 spot at 6-foot-11, 245-pounds. That box is checked, but he brings way more to the table than just great size.

Over the three seasons Aimaq has played collegiate basketball, he has improved his game. As a freshman at Mercer, he averaged five points per game and was only making 42% of his free throws. He transferred out and picked Utah Valley as his destination.

The next season Aimaq played, he increased his free throw shooting from 42% to 61.8%. He also started averaging 13.9 points, 15.0 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game as a sophomore.

This past season, the production increase continued with the Wolverines. Aimaq averaged 18.9 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game while boosting his free throw shooting up to 72.3%. He also added a three-point shot to his repertoire.

Aimaq had only taken a total of two three-point shots during his first two seasons in college. This past season with Utah Valley, he took 46 three-pointers and hit them at a clip of 43.5%.

Illinois is likely losing a double-double machine, but they could replace Kofi with another big man who can put up the points and pull down the rebounds. Aimaq has the shooting ability to space the floor as well. I love that Underwood is at least taking a look at this big man.