Illinois Basketball: Illini targeting versatile 2023 forward out of Oklahoma

Illinois basketball is looking to build for the future, as they offered talented 2023 prospect, Trent Pierce.

The Illini are looking to reach bigger heights next fall and in the years to come, as the program looks out west to help them fill the small forward position. Illinois offered talented 2023 Oklahoma standout, Trent Pierce on May 11.

Pierce is a 6-foot-8, 180-pound small forward who hails from Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is also rated as a four-star recruit and the No. 2 player in the state.

Pierce has quickly gained traction as a key prospect to watch, as he holds offers from the likes of Minnesota, Kansas State, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State. He took a visit to Minnesota on February 12, but his recruiting trail is just beginning.

The Illini still have yet to sign anyone for the 2023 class just yet, and Pierce might be that valuable option who the program is looking for once Skyy Clark eventually departs.

“After a great conversation with Coach Frazier, I am grateful to say I have received an offer from the University of Illinois,” Pierce wrote on his Twitter account.

At press time, the tweet has gained a lot of attention, as 62 retweets and 800+ likes have made Illini Nation excited about the possibilities of another superstar coming to Champaign.

How would Trent Pierce fit into the Illinois basketball system?

Pierce currently plays for Union High School, which is in the midst of struggling to find consistency entering the 2022-2023 season. As for Pierce, however, he is one of the few lone bright spots the team has.

Check out his highlight tape below from the Edison Team Camp that took place in the summer of 2021

Brad Underwood loves knock-down shooters and players with good ball movement. Pierce can not only play the perimeter, but he has on-court vision and speed that is tough to stop for four quarters.

Ultimately, if Illinois was to land Pierce, his dynamic playmaking ability will set him apart from the rest of his class.