Illinois Basketball: 5 recruits to watch for the Illini class of 2024

Peyton Marshall

Brad Underwood is always in the market for a solid big man. I think the Illini might be back in the running for a recent de-commit in Peyton Marshall.

Marshall is a 6-foot-11, 310-pound center from Kell High School in Georgia. He is rated as a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 46 player in the class of 2024. He is also the No. 6 center in the country and the No. 4 player coming out of Georgia.

This could be a tough recruitment to win. Marshall was once committed to Auburn but in early April, he decided to back away from that commitment. Just last week, Ole Miss did an in-home visit with Marshall as well, so one would assume they are one of the teams heavily involved.

I do have some hope that the Illini can really start making some headway, though. I was able to confirm from Marshall that Illinois has been in contact with the big man since he reopened his recruitment.

How I see Illinois using Peyton Marshall

At 6-foot-11, 310 pounds, Marshall is going to be a load to handle at the next level. If he picks Illinois, he would probably get as many minutes as he could handle coming off the bench in year one.

Dain Dainja would probably have graduated by the time Marshall is a sophomore, so that is when I see him starting at the No. 5 spot for Illinois. Give Marshall a year to develop his game and body, and I think he will be All-Big Ten caliber.

I love a good center in the college game. Not many have that luxury. Marshall would give the Illini another version of Kofi Cockburn in the paint.