The tides have started to turn for the Illinois basketball program slightly, as we are in contention for a transfer portal guard.
Coming into the weekend, the Illini were hit with two big transfer portal departures. But good news started to trickle in. Getting an official visit from Iowa transfer Josh Dix always helps. Illinois wasn’t done with just one bit of good news, though.
On Saturday night, Joe Tipton of On3.com reported that Jaylin Sellers is down to just four teams on his top list. The four programs to make his top list include Cincinnati, Georgetown, Providence, and Illinois.
UCF transfer guard Jaylin Sellers is down to four schools, source tells @On3sports:
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) March 30, 2025
Cincinnati, Georgetown, Illinois, Providence
The 6-4 senior appeared in only three games this season due to injury but averaged 15.9 PPG with UCF last season.https://t.co/5g2bGpe7Ah pic.twitter.com/T21S2AnuVs
Sellers is a 6-foot-4, 205-pound guard from UCF. He started his collegiate career at Ball State and transferred to UCF after two seasons. This past season, he only suited up in three games for the Knights due to back issues. But the year prior, he had a big season, averaging 15.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.
Illinois basketball is going for potential with Jaylin Sellers out of the transfer portal
Brad Underwood does a great job with the transfer portal. Does he swing and miss at times? Sure, but that happens when you have to rebuild a roster.
Sellers is someone who has a ton of potential. He has proven he can put up big numbers in the backcourt, and Illinois needs someone like him on the roster next season.
My thinking is that Sellers can play a similar role to that of Tre White. He is a good rebounder, and the ability to shoot from three-point range is there if he gets hot. There is a lot of potential with Sellers when it comes to shooting the basketball.
In Sellers’ two seasons with the Cardinals, he shot 44.4% and 45.0% from three-point range. In his full season with UCF, he shot 29.7% from distance. It would be nice if Illinois could land him and get something more towards the 40% range than the 30% range.
I like that Illinois is going after some players who aren’t huge names. Sellers has been through the MAC and has fought through injury. This kid knows what it takes to fight and scrap for everything he has. I want that type of dog on the Illinois roster next season.
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