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Illinois Basketball: Top 5 Illini targets for 2024 after losing ZZ Clark

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - DECEMBER 06: General view of Illinois Fighting Illini basketballs seen before the game against the IUPUI Jaguars at State Farm Center on December 6, 2016 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - DECEMBER 06: General view of Illinois Fighting Illini basketballs seen before the game against the IUPUI Jaguars at State Farm Center on December 6, 2016 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Jan 14, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; A cheerleader is shown at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Dwayne Pierce

The Illini have been able to recruit the east coast pretty well under Brad Underwood’s regime, and that is probably why we are focusing on landing Dwayne Pierce.

Pierce is a 6-foot-5, 190-pound small forward from Christ The King Regional High School in Middle Village, New York. He is rated as a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 101 player in the class of 2024. He is also the No. 24 small forward in the nation and the No. 4 player coming out of New York.

This high school should sound familiar to many Illinois fans. Christ The King Regional is where Kofi Cockburn was going to high school before playing his final year at Oak Hill. This is territory that Illinois knows, so that might be a plus for recruiting Pierce.

In late September, Christ The King Regional had an open gym for their players. Illinois was one of the teams that sent coaches to watch Pierce on the court.

Pierce is taking some unofficial visits right now, and he has one official visit set up for October 16 to Memphis. There is still a long way to go in this recruitment, but it does seem that Illinois is squarely in the mix as of right now.

I think Pierce will climb the recruiting rankings over the next year. This kid will end up being a top 75 player entering college. Look for Illinois to continue to make waves in this recruitment.

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