Illinois basketball is exploring all options when it comes to the class of 2023.
Exactly zero recruits have committed to the Illini for the 2023 class. This is a stark contrast from the class of 2022 which ranks in the top 10 nationally and the class of 2024 which is the No. 1 class in the country.
But there is no reason to doubt Brad Underwood and his coaching staff. They will surely wrangle multiple talented recruits for 2023. In fact, the Illini offered a top 100 recruit in Gehrig Normand on Wednesday.
After a great conversation with @CoachFrazierILL, I am blessed to announce that I have received an offer from the University of Illinois. pic.twitter.com/immdt1hTSs
— Gehrig Normand (@GehrigNormand20) July 14, 2022
Normand is a 6-foot-6, 175-pound small forward from Birdville High School and resides in North Richland Hills, Texas. He is rated as a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 93 player in the class of 2023. Normand is also the No. 17 small forward in the nation and the No. 5 player coming out of Texas.
Illinois is very late to the game when it comes to Normand’s recruitment. He has roughly 18 scholarship offers on the table right now and has taken four of his five official visits back in June. With one official visit left, the Illini are looking to crash the party.
Gehrig Normand would be a great first addition to the Illinois basketball class of 2023.
It doesn’t come as a surprise that Normand has nearly 20 scholarship offers. When I watch him play basketball, his game jumps off the screen. He is clearly going to be a huge asset to whatever team ends up snagging him.
The first thing I notice about Normand’s game is how easy everything comes to him. It almost feels like he was born to play basketball. The way he moves, the vision he has, the court knowledge, and the shooting ability, it is all truly impressive.
When I watch him play, Normand reminds me of a Shawn Marion-type player. He is a great shooter from anywhere and is a lockdown defender. I love his size as well. He is going to be a tremendous wing for a college program.
Hopefully, Illinois can get in the Normand recruitment. There is still room for us to make noise, so let’s show this top 100 recruit what Champaign is all about.