Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup with Skyy Clark

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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Illinois basketball
Ensworth’s Skyy Clark (55) defends the court during their game at Pope John Paul II High School Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn.Nas Ensworth Jpii 021

Illinois basketball has secured one of the biggest commitments in program history.

On Thursday afternoon, Skyy Clark announced his commitment to the Illini. This is a huge pledge for the program and one that changes the lineup for the 2022-23 campaign.

With Clark onboard, Illinois now has 12 out of 13 scholarships accounted for with the possibility of Kofi Cockburn returning and filling the final spot. But, for now, I am counting Kofi as departed until he says he is coming back.

Illinois’ roster is insane right now. We have (1) 5-star, (7) 4-star, (3) 3-star, and (1) other entering next season. This might be the best roster from top to bottom I have seen in the history of the program. With that being said, I am excited to see what the lineup is going to look like.

Here is the projected Illinois basketball lineup with Skyy Clark.

No. 1 Guard

Starter: Skyy Clark

With the big commitment of Clark, he instantly moves into the starting No. 1 guard spot for the Illinois basketball program. A guard of his caliber doesn’t ride the pine. He is a 6-foot-3, 200-pound point guard who is rated a five-star recruit and ranked as the No. 27 player in the class of 2022.

Clark’s presence as the starting point guard is going to be great for the Illini. Illinois has had players who could pass the ball over the past few seasons, but we haven’t had a true point guard bringing the rock up the court. That will all change with Clark now leading the way. Sadly, this might be the only season Clark is with the Illini, but let’s enjoy him while he is here.

Backup: Jayden Epps

In the matter of a few months, Illinois went from an uneasy future at point guard to looking like one of the best backcourts in the country from top to bottom. Behind Clark, I have fellow incoming freshman Jayden Epps as the primary backup.

Epps can hold his own as far as talent goes. He is a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 71 player in the class of 2022. Before Clark committed, I had Epps starting. But Epps isn’t a true point guard. He is a playmaker who can play point guard. Look for Epps to not only get minutes at the No. 1 spot, but he should be able to play the No. 1 through No. 3 spots on the floor.