Illinois Basketball: Both Illini commits listed in updated Rivals Top 125 for 2024

There has been an update to the Illinois basketball commits from the class of 2024.

We are edging closer and closer to the class of 2024 being the main focus for the Illini. While there are still some kids left to commit for 2022, and the class of 2023 is still not closed up by any means, the 2024 group is getting more important by the day.

On Tuesday, Rivals.com released updated rankings for the class of 2024. They expanded their rankings to the top 125. Topping the updated Rivals list is Ian Jackson. He is a five-star shooting guard out of Bronx, New York and has yet to make a decision on where he will play basketball at the next level.

The updated list now also features both of the Illinois commitments for 2024. We get to see a clearer view of what the Rivals “experts” think of the Illini class of 2024.

Illinois basketball commitments for 2024 are getting zero respect.

Morez Johnson is obviously going to be the first player out of the two Illinois commitments we get to on the ranking. Before the new rankings were released, he was the No. 43 recruit in the country. That number has since changed.

For some reason, Rivals dropped Johnson 23 spots. He is now the No. 66 player in the class of 2024. I am not sure the reasoning for the drop. Johnson has played well this summer and continues to impress.

Illinois’ other commitment, ZZ Clark, checks in at No 124 out of 125 players. He wasn’t on this list previously, so seeing him in the top 125 is nice. But I also think, as time goes on, Clark will climb this list rapidly.

Clark has a ton of talent and continues to develop. I think he has a legit shot at cracking the top 100 before this year is completed. It wouldn’t surprise me to see both Johnson and Clark inside the top 100 when it is all said and done.

There are a couple of other names I think Illinois fans should keep an eye on too. James Brown, a St. Rita product, checks in at No. 31 on the list. He is a big-time big man out of Chicago who could help the Illini tremendously.

Another recruit I am keeping tabs on in the top 125 is Jahki Howard. He is the No. 37 player in the class of 2024. If Illinois can land JJ Taylor from the class of 2023, both Taylor and Howard have talked about playing together at the college level. They both currently attend Donda Academy, so they might be a package deal for recruiting.

Illinois’ class of 2024 is already very talented. I am sure Brad Underwood will continue building this class to make them one of the best in the country. We are off to a good start.