Illinois basketball has had a trend in the transfer portal through the first few days of the offseason.
The Illini just finished up a tough 20-win season that saw the Orange and Blue bounced out in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
This was supposed to be a great year for the program, but Illinois couldn’t manage to get things going on a consistent basis. With some key players departing the program, and the potential to have an early entry or two into the NBA Draft, Brad Underwood is going to need to find some microwave players to help fill the roster voids.
One of the options out there is North Carolina transfer, Dontrez Styles. He is a 6-foot-6, 210-pound wing who has a ton of programs already after his services. On Sunday, Jamie Shaw of On3.com produced a list of teams who had already contacted Styles. Shaw then tweeted out on Tuesday more programs that had been in contact. One of the schools listed was Illinois.
Landing Dontrez Styles in the transfer portal would give the Illinois basketball program a Swiss Army Knife
UNC sophomore transfer Dontrez Styles has heard from the following schools source tells @TransferPortal_
— Jamie Shaw (@JamieShaw5) March 21, 2023
Georgetown
Seton Hall
Maryland
Pittsburgh
Texas A&M
South Carolina
Illinois
>> https://t.co/ELLdcRWmIh https://t.co/AWSeAZkxKu pic.twitter.com/EbCmoVQdaB
Coming out of Kinston High School in North Carolina, Styles was a big-time recruit. He was rated as a four-star and ranked as the No. 63 player in the class of 2021.
North Carolina wanted the in-state talent, and they landed him. Styles would play two seasons for the Tar Heels and would average 1.8 points and 1.3 rebounds in 5.9 minutes per contest.
With two years of eligibility remaining, the potential of Styles to Illinois is intriguing.
I love Styles’ game. He moves around the court and doesn’t get stagnant. He can hit shots at every level on the floor as well. I can honestly see him playing the No. 2 or No. 3 spots on the floor for the Illini.
An addition like Styles wouldn’t be a huge shock to the chemistry on the team either. He isn’t someone who will come in and demand to be the star. I believe Styles could fit in well with the talent Illinois already has on the team. That is important in this transfer portal cycle.
I love that Illinois is pursuing Styles. The potential for this kid is huge. Hopefully, Underwood can make a push and land this talented former four-star recruit.