Illinois basketball: Illini targeting in-state frontcourt recruit for 2025

The women’s Illinois basketball team did some amazing winning this past season, and they are trying to keep that success going by adding some talented players for the future.

Shauna Green has been incredible since taking the reins of the Illini program. She has us winning on the court, and her coaching staff is doing some impressive work when it comes to recruiting as well.

For 2024, Illinois has already landed Berry Wallace. She is a four-star wing out of Ohio who is ranked as the No. 33 player in the country. We could, potentially, have another player joining Wallace soon.

Just days ago, it was reported that in-state guard, Aaliyah Guyton, is ready to take her official visits, one of which will likely be to Illinois. Guyton is a four-star recruit who is ranked as the No. 60 player in the class of 2024.

While Green is trying to nail down a legendary class of 2024, she and her staff are also recruiting for the class of 2025 as well. On Wednesday, the Lyons Lions social media account published that Nora Ezike had received a scholarship from Illinois.

Illinois basketball is going to need more size like Nora Ezike in 2025

Ezike is a 6-foot-2 frontcourt player who currently attends Lyons Township High School in Illinois. She isn’t rated or ranked by any of the recruiting sites, but the scholarships are starting to flow in for the talented athlete.

Just in the last couple of weeks, Ezike has added multiple offers. In addition to the Illini, teams like Saint Louis and Rice have both come in with scholarship offers as well.

Opinion

Ezike’s game intrigues me. I think the biggest thing that stands out in my eyes is how she runs the court for a big. She is extremely athletic and can keep up with guards, which is impressive for her height.

I think, with some college-level work, Ezike is going to be able to develop into a dominating paint player. The framework is already there for a great player, and now she just needs to hone her skills.

This is a great offer for the Illini. We are going to need some size in the paint in 2025. By that time, Shay Bollin will be a senior and will, likely, be our starting center. Ezike could come into the program and learn behind her for a year and be a primary reserve. In 2026, that is when Ezike could take over and dominate the Big Ten.