Illinois Basketball: Illini receive huge transfer portal commitment

And just like that, the Illinois basketball team has made a huge splash in the transfer portal.

Coming into Monday, the Illini were -1 in the transfer portal when it came to scholarship players. We had lost three players from last season’s roster, but Brad Underwood was able to land two mid-major players who could help this team tremendously.

Illinois needed to add more talent considering what we have lost not only to the transfer portal but to the NBA as well. Well, one of the few scholarships that are open just got filled by Quincy Guerrier.

On Monday, Guerrier took to social media to announce that he has decided to end his time in the transfer portal and would be committing to Illinois. It took a while, but Guerrier is finally coming to Champaign.

Landing Quincy Guerrier out of the transfer portal will give the Illinois basketball team a shot in the arm

This commitment has been a long time coming. Guerrier originally took an official visit to Champaign back in 2018. He then committed to Syracuse. Guerrier transferred from the Orange and had Illinois in his top four. He would then commit to Oregon.

Illinois is finally adding Guerrier to the roster after transferring for one final season in the college ranks. I would argue that the Illini are getting the best version of this versatile wing.

The 6-foot-8 wing can do a little bit of everything on the court. He averaged 9.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game last season with the Ducks. His three-point shooting has improved every year in college as well. From his sophomore to senior year, Guerrier went from hitting 31.1% of his three-pointers to 34.7%.

I am excited about getting a refined player who has great size and can stretch the floor. Guerrier can play back-to-the-basket, but he can also step out and knock down shots from the perimeter. He has a similar skillset to Coleman Hawkins but is a little smaller.

Underwood is going to be able to play Guerrier in multiple roles. I could see him playing the No. 3 or No. 4 spots on the floor. He gives the Illini so much versatility. Illinois’ frontcourt is going to be one of the best I have seen in years.