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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup with Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn

By Rees Woodcock

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 20: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini draws a play in the first half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 20, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 20: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini draws a play in the first half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 20, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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Purdue center Zach Edey (15) screens Illinois guard RJ Melendez (15) for Purdue guard Jaden Ivey (23) during the first half of an NCAA men’s basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022 at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette.Bkc Purdue Vs Illinois
Purdue center Zach Edey (15) screens Illinois guard RJ Melendez (15) for Purdue guard Jaden Ivey (23) during the first half of an NCAA men’s basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022 at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette.Bkc Purdue Vs Illinois /

No. 4 Guard/Forward

Starter: RJ Melendez

There is just so much talent on the Illinois roster from top to bottom. I am pumped about the players who I have already talked about, and now I finally get to, arguably, the best player on the roster. RJ Melendez had a good finish to his freshman season. His development over the past few months was amazing.

I think Melendez enters this upcoming season as a contender for a starting spot. Even if he doesn’t get the starting nod, he is going to get a ton of minutes. By the time the 2023-24 campaign rolls around, Melendez will be starting. I have him pegged for the starter at the No. 4 guard/forward spot. This is where I think he thrives the most.

Backup: Amani Hansberry

Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn was added to the class of 2023 that featured one of the best forwards in the country in Amani Hansberry. He is going to have a huge impact on the Illinois frontcourt as a freshman.

Hansberry is coming into the Illinois basketball program as a top 100 recruit, and he should get a lot of playing time right away. The Illini are kind of thin at the No. 4 spot, so having a player of Hansberry’s caliber come in is important. Look for Hansberry to have a good freshman season for the Illini as a primary backup at the No. 4 spot.

Backup: Zacharie Perrin

I was surprised to see Zacharie Perrin not join the Illini this season, but he still remains committed to the program. He is doing a year of prep school and will then be a part of the Illinois class of 2023.

Perrin is a solid forward who has great 6-foot-10 size. I think he will see some time as a freshman, but I have him, as of right now, as the second backup at the No. 4 spot. This recruitment will be one to monitor moving forward, though.

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