Writing Illini
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Illinois basketball
Nov 22, 2021; Kansas City, MO, USA; A Illinois Fighting Illini fan shows her support against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the second half at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Asa Newell

Brad Underwood has landed some pretty big players since becoming the head coach of the Illinois basketball program, but Asa Newell would be the highest-rated recruit he has ever pulled in.

Newell is a 6-foot-9, 205-pound power forward from Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida. He is rated as a five-star recruit and ranked as the No. 6 player in the class of 2024. He is also the No. 1 power forward in the country and the best player coming out of Florida.

Florida hasn’t exactly been friendly to Illinois since Underwood took over. The best player I can remember to come out of Florida in recent years is Trent Frazier. But there might be some hope in this recruitment.

Newell has been on an official visit to Georgia back on September 23. He is also taking an official visit to Indiana this weekend. But the recruitment for Newell might not be close to being set just yet.

Just a few weeks back in September, Rob Cassidy of Rivals released his top 10 recruits for 2024. Newell was at No. 6, and he mentioned in the blurb about Newell that Georgie, Florida, Florida State, and Illinois were the schools most involved. I would add Indiana to that mix too, but the Illini were mentioned. That gives me hope.

Newell would be a huge commitment for the Orange and Blue. I think this is a massive uphill climb, but we just landed Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn in the last couple of months, and we weren’t even in that recruitment until late in the game. Maybe we can work some magic with Newell too.

Home/Illinois Basketball Recruiting