Illinois Basketball: 5 thoughts from the Illini box score against the Catalonia All-Stars

3. Could Amani Hansberry be a force in year one

Illinois had a lot of talent return to the roster from the 2022-23 campaign. Some of this talent returning was in the frontcourt.

The Illini have players like Coleman Hawkins and Dain Dainja who will be monsters in the paint with rebounds and around the rim. Illinois added some size in the offseason in the form of Amani Hansberry too.

Hansberry was a top 75 recruit who was a great get. He was the Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year, and the fact he picked Illinois was huge. But I wasn’t sure if he would make a big impact in year one due to the talent returning.

As time goes on, it seems to be clearer and clearer that Hansberry is going to make a pretty big impact on the team as a true freshman. He continues to put up big-time numbers in the exhibition games. Hansberry also seems to be a monster in the rebounding department.

In the game against Valencia, Hansberry played just 18 minutes and finished with 13 points, nine rebounds, and a block. He was 5-of-8 from the field as well. Hansberry’s encore performance was against the Catalonia All-Stars, and he didn’t disappoint.

Hansberry was clearly a force against Catalonia. In the 18 minutes on the court, he would finish with 19 points and 11 rebounds on 9-of-13 shooting from the field. The only issue I may have with Hansberry is his free throw shooting. He is just 4-of-10 in the last two games.

While I believe Hawkins is going to start at the No. 4 spot and Dainja at the No. 5, I think there is room for Hansberry to see a ton of minutes this season. I think he will be a force for the Illini in year one.