Illinois Basketball: Illini offer 2023 New Zealand power forward

Illinois basketball is looking to bulk up its size with an offer to New Zealand’s Tafara Gapare.

The Illini are looking ahead toward future success with more Big Ten titles and the potential to bring home a national title when all said and done. Though this feat has not been accomplished under head coach Brad Underwood just yet, the Orange and Blue will look to get better at some key positions, including power forward.

On May 12, Illinois extended another scholarship offer, as the program is seeking out a rising star from New Zealand named Tafara Gapare. Gapare attends South Kent School in Connecticut, where he resides stateside to pursue his basketball dreams at the college level and beyond.

“I am happy to say that I have received an offer from Illinois,” Gapare wrote on his Twitter account.

At press time, the tweet has gained some pretty significant attention amongst fans and media members alike. 27 retweets, four quote tweets, and 264 likes have given Gapare some momentum during the early stages of the recruiting process.

According to Rivals, there are a few other schools that have an interest in the emerging prospect. These schools include Missouri, New Mexico State, Pittsburgh, Louisville, Rutgers, Arizona State, and Virginia Tech.

Early projections see Gapare ending up playing for the Panthers, but with two of the Big Ten’s best teams over the last 3-4 years in the running, Gapare will have a tough decision to make within the next year or so.

What could Tafara Gapare bring to the Illinois basketball team?

Long and short of it, Gapare has a chance to do something special. He is a versatile talent who has an outstanding transition game to go along with his prolific passing ability and defensive presence. He shows flashes of Alfonso Plummer’s ball movement coupled with Kofi Cockburn’s blocks on the defensive glass. Of course, though, it’s with Gapare’s unique style that makes him fun to watch.

Underwood likes good, all-around talent, regardless of the player’s unknowns or not. If Illinois can snag this kid in a year, the team is in great hands to have another dangerous presence in the middle for years to come.