Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: Projected 2024-25 Illini lineup after the Mikey Lewis miss

By Rees Woodcock

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 09: Head Basketball Coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini watches a play during the second half of a Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament Second Round game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at United Center on March 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. The Penn State Nittany Lions won the game 79-76 over the Illinois Fighting Illini. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 09: Head Basketball Coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini watches a play during the second half of a Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament Second Round game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at United Center on March 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. The Penn State Nittany Lions won the game 79-76 over the Illinois Fighting Illini. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Illinois basketball
CHAMPAIGN, IL – DECEMBER 06: General view of Illinois Fighting Illini basketballs seen before the game against the IUPUI Jaguars at State Farm Center on December 6, 2016 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

No. 4 Forward

Starter: Morez Johnson Jr (FR)

I am not sure if I have ever been this excited about an Illinois frontcourt in my lifetime. With Morez Johnson Jr. coming into the program, the Illini have one of the most dangerous one-two punches at the No. 4 and No. 5 spot in all of college basketball.

Johnson will immediately take over as the starter at the No. 4 spot in the Illinois lineup. He is a top 40 recruit and will likely end up being a top 25 recruit, a five-star, and a McDonald’s All-American when he is finished in high school. Johnson is a tenacious rebounder and can score well around the hoop. It is exciting getting this type of player in Champaign.

Backup: Jason Jakstys (FR)

Illinois is also bringing in another member of the frontcourt from the class of 2024. Jason Jakstys is around the same size as Johnson, but these two play different styles on the basketball court.

I have Jakstys as the primary backup to Johnson at the No. 4 spot. Johnson is more of a traditional back-to-the-basket type of big man. He is going to dominate the glass and score relatively close to the hoop. Jakstys is someone who can pop out and shoot the three-point shot. He isn’t going to bang around in the paint a lot, but this kid can stretch the floor. He reminds me a lot of someone like Michael Finke.

Transfer #3

It would be kind of nice to have the final transfer come in as a solid forward who has experience and can rebound well in the second unit. I want to redshirt Jakstys in year one. I think getting him some minutes early on and then redshirting him would be best for his career. That would save a year of eligibility. So, snagging a transfer who can be a solid backup to Johnson would be big for the Illini.

Home/Illinois Basketball