Illinois Basketball: Five-star 2024 guard offered by Illini

The Illinois basketball team has its sights set on landing talented five-star guard Paul McNeil Jr.

McNeil Jr. took a major step toward determining where his college basketball location will be in the coming years. A talented 6-foot-6, 185-pound shooting guard, McNeil Jr. transferred to Prolific Prep in July from Rockingham, North Carolina.

On August 11, McNeil Jr. was offered by the Illini to go along with interests from UCLA, USC, North Carolina, and Tennessee, to name a few.

“Blessed to receive a Division I offer from the University of Illinois,” McNeil Jr. wrote on his Twitter account.

At press time, the tweet has done well for McNeil Jr., as it has 37 retweets and 215 likes.

Paul McNeil Jr. is a talented target for the Illinois basketball program.

McNeil Jr. has seen his stock rise over the last several years. In June, his recruitment really took off with several calls and texts from coaches around the country.

While McNeil recognizes the accolades that come his way, he understands that focusing on improving his game and being the best player possible stands out much more than an overflow of constant media attention.

"“It was just blowing up nonstop. It would stop for like a second or a couple seconds and then it’s right back to it. … I really couldn’t be busy because I was taking so many calls,” McNeil told The Fayetteville Observer."

Upon transferring to Prolific Prep in July, McNeil Jr. reflected on the next steps in his recruiting process and how excited he is to play with some of the best in the nation.

"“I’m excited and think it will help prepare me for college,” McNeil Jr. told the Richmond Observer. “This is going to allow me to help my family and improve myself as a basketball player and a person.”"

McNeil Jr’s recruiting process will be one to watch in the coming years. Check out his summer highlights below.

For Illinois, a commitment from McNeil Jr. would be massive, considering that

Coleman Hawkins

came from Prolific Prep and is slowly blossoming into the player that Illini Nation thought he could become.