Illinois basketball is still in the middle of rounding out the class of 2025, so it is a bit hard to map out future recruiting classes.
The Illini class of 2025 has started off on the right foot, though. Two players have pledged with Keaton Wagler and Brandon Lee signing up to be a part of this program. Both players are four-star recruits, and there is plenty of time to land a couple of other big-time freshmen and some transfer portal talent.
While Brad Underwood is trying to seal up the 2025 group, the work on the class of 2026 isn’t going unnoticed. The Illinois coaching staff is putting in the work, and recruits are talking about the program.
In a recent article by Joe Tipton of On3.com, top recruit Jalen Montonati talks about his recruitment and the programs he is hearing from the most. One of the teams Montonati mentions that is talking to him the most is Illinois, among others.
2026 Top-25 recruit Jalen Montonati tells me he hears from these schools the most frequently (in no particular order):
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) January 3, 2025
Kansas, Alabama, Oklahoma State, Louisville, Nebraska, Oklahoma, SMU, and Illinois. https://t.co/advCJmZC49 pic.twitter.com/yXb5n4MepU
Illinois basketball would check a lot of boxes for five-star recruit Jalen Montonati
There are plenty of programs that are trying to land Montonati. Illinois is among the eight programs that are contacting him the most.
There is a reason he has big-time schools coming after him. Montonati is a 6-foot-7, 175-pound small forward from Owasso High School in Oklahoma. He is rated as a five-star recruit and ranked as the No. 22 player in the class of 2026. He is also the No. 8 small forward in the country and the best player coming out of Oklahoma.
This past season, as a sophomore, Montonati averaged 25.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. He also shot a solid 38% from three-point range, which is always a good number for an Underwood offense.
In the article by Tipton, Montonati talks about what he is looking for in a program. He wants a good culture. Honestly, I think this is one of the best cultures Illinois has ever had with the team. Underwood has built a sustainable culture in Champaign.
Montonati wants to get to the NBA. Well, Underwood has sent multiple players to the next level, and he currently has at least one NBA Draft pick in 2025 on the roster right now. That is another check.
Lastly, Montonati wants to compete for a national championship. Underwood just got done taking Illinois to the Elite 8. We are also on pace to be one of the top seeds in the NCAA tournament this season. That seems like it would be another check.
Illinois has the tools and ability to land a player like Montonati. We check a lot of the boxes he is looking for in a program. Let’s see if we can close the deal.