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Illinois Basketball: 5 options for the Illini in the transfer portal 2.0

By Rees Woodcock

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood watches from the baseline during a NCAA Big Ten Conference men's basketball game against Iowa, Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.211206 Ill Iowa Mbb 034 Jpg
Illinois head coach Brad Underwood watches from the baseline during a NCAA Big Ten Conference men's basketball game against Iowa, Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.211206 Ill Iowa Mbb 034 Jpg /
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Jan 23, 2021; Queens, New York, USA; Utah Valley Wolverines center Fardaws Aimaq (11) is guarded by St. John’s Red Storm forward Marcellus Earlington (10) in the first half at Carnesecca Arena. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2021; Queens, New York, USA; Utah Valley Wolverines center Fardaws Aimaq (11) is guarded by St. John’s Red Storm forward Marcellus Earlington (10) in the first half at Carnesecca Arena. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Fardaws Aimaq

Some transfers are more likely than others, but Illinois is still putting out feelers for a few of the biggest names in the portal. Fardaws Aimaq is one of those important names to keep in mind.

Aimaq was not a known commodity coming out of Richmond, British Columbia. He wasn’t rated or ranked by 247Sports, but he did have recruiting interest from some solid programs.

Mercer is where Aimaq would end up landing. In his lone season with the Bears, Aimaq would put up a pedestrian 5.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. He would then take his talents to the transfer portal where Aimaq would end up picking Utah Valley.

This is where Aimaq’s game really started to bloom. In his final season with the Wolverines, he would put up 18.9 points, 13.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game. Aimaq developed his three-point shot as well, hitting 43.5% of his three-pointers last season.

It was reported that Illinois has been in contact with Aimaq about coming to Champaign. It seems that Arkansas has some recruiting momentum with the big man, though. That is never good considering the type of recruiting class they have coming in. Eric Musselman has an amazing pull down there in Arkansas.

If Brad Underwood is able to land Aimaq, he would be a perfect fit at the No. 5 spot. He has great size in the paint, and he can step out and shoot the three-point shot. The ability to stretch the floor is intriguing.

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