Illinois Basketball: Numbers the Illini newcomers will wear in 2023-24

We are still months away from the Illinois basketball season, but we are starting to get to know the newcomers a little more.

On Monday, the Illini revealed what numbers each of the newcomers would be wearing for the upcoming season. Some of these numbers are historic for their own reasons. Some of the numbers bring up memories of players past as well.

Here are what numbers the Illinois basketball newcomers will wear in 2023-24

Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn – #2

• Previous – Connor Serven

Illini freshman Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn is entering the 2023-24 campaign with the No. 2. Connor Serven wore this number last season, and he has since moved on from the program.

• Best Player to Wear #2 – Joseph Bertrand

The history of No. 2 isn’t great. Gibbs-Lawhorn is only the fifth player in program history to don the single-digit. The best player is either Joseph Bertrand or Kipper Nichols, and I would go with Bertrand.

Marcus Domask – #3

• Previous – Jayden Epps

Marcus Domask transferred in for his final season of college basketball and will wear No. 3. This number was worn by Jayden Epps last season.

• Best Player to Wear #3 – Brandon Paul

I don’t think this is much of a competition. Brandon Paul put up some massive numbers at Illinois, so he is the best player to don the No. 3. Also of note, Illini assistant coach Chester Frazier also wore this number.

Justin Harmon – #4

• Previous – N/A

Illinois also received Justin Harmon in the transfer market. He is coming into the Illinois program wearing No. 4. There wasn’t a player who wore the No. 4 last season.

• Best Player to Wear #4 – Luther Head

There have been some interesting No. 4’s in the history of Illinois basketball, but Luther Head takes the cake. He is by far the best No. 4, although Fess Hawkins does hold a special place in my heart.

Quincy Guerrier – #13

• Previous – N/A

It was a long time coming, but Quincy Guerrier finally found his way to Champaign. He is coming into the program wearing No. 13. No one wore this number last season.

• Best Player to Wear #13 – Kendall Gill

I hate to do this to Cory Bradford but Kendall Gill is the best player to wear No. 13. Bradford was great, but Gill was another level. This hurt my soul.

Keaton Kutcher – #22

• Previous – Paxton Warden

Illinois received Keaton Kutcher via the transfer portal. He is coming to Champaign and will be wearing the No. 22. The player to wear this number last season was Paxton Warden.

• Best Player to Wear #22 – Johnny “Red” Kerr

This was a tough one. There are a lot of players who have worn No. 22. For me, it was down to Kiwane Garris and Red Kerr. Garris put up some amazing numbers, but Kerr finished his senior year averaging 25.3 points per game. I have to go with Kerr.

Max Williams – #25

• Previous – N/A

Max Williams joined the Illinois program for one final season in the college ranks. He is coming to Champaign and wearing the No. 25. Illinois didn’t have a player wear this number last season.

• Best Player to Wear #25 – Nick Anderson

So many great Illinois players have worn No. 25. It is a special number to a lot of people because of Ben Wilson (Google it). It was honestly between Anderson and Deon Thomas, but I had to go with Anderson. He put up better numbers than Thomas and was three inches shorter.

Amani Hansberry – #35

• Previous – N/A

Illinois’ prized recruit in the class of 2023 was Amani Hansberry. The Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year joins the program wearing the No. 35. This number was not worn by an Illinois player last season.

• Best Player to Wear #35 – Skip Thoren

Listen, Stephen Bardo was a great player and was a part of some special Illinois basketball teams, but you can’t deny Skip Thoren’s numbers. The man averaged 22.2 points and 14.5 rebounds per game in his final season in Champaign. I have to give the nod to Thoren.