Illinois Basketball: Decision coming for top Illini 2024 recruiting target

A big Illinois basketball recruiting target looks to be ready to make a decision in the coming weeks.

The Illini currently sit with one of the best recruiting classes in the country for 2024. Ranking No. 12 in the nation right now, Morez Johnson Jr. leads the way, as he is a four-star recruit who is ranked as the No. 35 player in the class of 2024.

Johnson was the first commitment for the Illini class of 2024. He pledged back in November 2021. Following Johnson was Jason Jakstys, a three-star recruit who is ranked No. 110 in the class of 2024. Both Johnson and Jakstys are at least 6-foot-9, so Illinois is bolstering the frontcourt.

But what about the backcourt? The Illini were able to add Jase Butler in the last couple of weeks. He is a solid three-star recruit who is ranked as the No. 162 player in the class of 2024. Butler can play multiple roles in the backcourt for the Orange and Blue. Illinois needs another big-time guard, though. Mikey Lewis might be the answer for the Illini.

Lewis is a 6-foot-3, 170-pound combo guard from Prolific Prep High School out in California. He is rated as a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 61 player in the class of 2024. He is also the No. 9 combo guard in the country and the No. 9 player coming out of California.

Illinois has been recruiting Lewis for quite some time, and it now looks like a decision is on the horizon. On Friday, Dushawn London of 247Sports reported that Lewis is coming down to a decision in the next two weeks. He also mentions that, as of right now, Lewis will be picking between Ole Miss, St. Mary’s, and Illinois.

Illinois basketball landing class of 2024 guard Mikey Lewis is proving to be difficult

At one time, I thought Illinois had Lewis. We offered him a scholarship during the AAU season when he was blowing up, and he took an official visit to Champaign. It seemed like momentum was in our favor. But the talented guard hasn’t made a move yet.

In the article published by London, Lewis talks about how play style is the biggest factor for him. He wants to play uptempo basketball. When he talked about both St. Mary’s and Ole Miss, Lewis mentions how they have a play style that he likes. When Lewis talked about Illinois, he doesn’t mention anything about play style. All he mentions is how he likes the coaches and how Chester Frazier is still his guy.

Lewis also mentions in the article that Ole Miss, St. Mary’s, and Illinois are the three schools he will choose from, as of right now. He says that if a new school jumps in, he will consider them as well.

It is complete speculation, and this is my opinion, but I am getting two vibes from Lewis. One, I think he isn’t set on any of the three schools that he will be choosing from. It seems that there may be a school out there that he wants a scholarship offer from, but they haven’t offered it yet.

The second vibe I am getting is that if Lewis does end up picking between the three schools mentioned above, it feels like Illinois isn’t in the lead. I would honestly give the nod to St. Mary’s at this point. The fact Lewis doesn’t mention anything about play style when talking about Illinois worries me.

But, if I am completely wrong, Lewis would be a great get for the Illini. We need a player like him to round out the class of 2024. The duo of Lewis and Johnson in 2024 would be great. With so many departures coming after the 2023-24 season, there is going to be plenty of playing time available for Lewis in the Illinois backcourt.