4. What type of timeshare does Amani Hansberry see?
Illinois had multiple standouts on the trip this summer to Spain. The usual names were great like Terrence Shannon Jr., but we also had players like Amani Hansberry step up in a big way.
Hansberry comes into the Illinois program as an elite freshman who was the Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year. He looked good in Spain, and in the first exhibition game against Ottawa, the big man impressed again.
The Illini ended up torching Ottawa, and Hansberry was a big part of the bench production. In just 14 minutes of action, he put up 14 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks, and one assist. He accomplished these numbers on 7-of-9 shooting from the field as well.
On Sunday against Kansas, I will be watching to see what type of timeshare Hansberry gets. I think this kid has such a bright future, but does Brad Underwood play a freshman extended minutes off the bench?
I would imagine Dain Dainja comes in as the primary backup to Coleman Hawkins. That leaves Hansberry as the third option at the No. 5 spot. But, honestly, he is a much better player than Dainja at this point. I am watching to see how many minutes Hansberry gets in the Kansas game, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see him take over the backup role at the No. 5 spot early in the season.