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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup in 2024-25 with Jase Butler

By Rees Woodcock

Jan 10, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood looks down the bench during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood looks down the bench during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Illinois basketball
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 09: Sencire Harris #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts after scoring in the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at United Center on March 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

No. 2 Guard

  • Starter: Sencire Harris (JR)

Illinois has a lot of Swiss Army Knives on the team this season. While Sencire Harris isn’t going to start for the Orange and Blue in 2023-24, I think his development off the bench is going to be crucial for the Illini when he gets the chance to start in 2024-25.

I have Harris taking over at the No. 2 guard spot. This is traditionally a shooter role, and I believe Harris can develop his shot enough to become a consistent scorer. You could tell at the end of last season, Harris had the ability to put the ball in the bucket. I look forward to seeing his development this season. The future is bright for him.

  • Backup: Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (SO)

The class of 2023 that is coming into the program has a lot of special players in it. Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn is one of those players. He is coming into the program as more of a point guard, but I see him being able to play the No. 1 through No. 3 spots on the court.

Gibbs-Lawhorn was a borderline top-100 recruit in his class. He looked much better than that this summer, though. In Spain, Gibbs-Lawhorn was given the reins at times at the No. 1 guard spot. He is electric with the ball, and he can do just about everything on the basketball court. When the 2024-25 season rolls around, I think Gibbs-Lawhorn is going to be our main sixth man off the bench.

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