Illinois basketball has the NBA chops to beat Indiana, Arizona in Darius Wabbington recruitment

The Illinois basketball program is trying to land a centerpiece for the class of 2027.

It has been a good beginning to the 2027 class, as the Illini have two commitments, both of whom are four-star recruits. Brad Underwood wants a five-star, though. Darius Wabbington is the big-time player in the crosshairs.

On Thursday, Sam Kayser of League Ready reported on social media that Wabbington is down to just three teams. He is going to end up choosing between Illinois, Arizona, and Indiana.

It was just three months ago that Wabbington was down to six teams, and the Illini weren’t anywhere to be found. Now, the Orange and Blue are in his top three and ready to close the deal.

Wabbington would be a massive get for all three programs. He is a 6-foot-11, 255-pound center from Sunnyslope High School in Arizona. He is rated as a five-star recruit and ranked as the No. 12 player in the class of 2027. He is also the No. 2 center in the country and the No. 3 player coming out of Arizona.

All three programs have already received an official visit from Wabbington. He started with Indiana on September 3. Wabbington then traveled to Illinois on September 19 and finished with Arizona on September 25.

247Sports has Arizona as “Warmer” to land Wabbington. I don’t think that is based on much besides the fact that it was the last place he visited, and now he has cut his list to three teams.

The fact that Illinois entered the picture less than three months ago and has made this big of an impact is something to keep an eye on. That is a ton of recruiting momentum, and I look at that as a barometer of where a player might end up.

NBA Draft success over the last few years should have Illinois basketball in the driver’s seat for Darius Wabbington

All three programs have the money to land Wabbington. At the end of the day, I don’t think it will come down to dollars. I think, if Wabbington were looking at his future, Illinois should have the strongest case to land the big man.

Let’s look at the last three NBA Draft classes. Indiana should be thrown out of the mix. They have had one player drafted in the last three NBA Drafts. That is embarrassing for the Hoosiers, which claim to be a blue blood.

When it comes to getting selected in the NBA Draft, Wabbington’s decision should come down to Illinois and Arizona. The Wildcats have had five players selected, while the Illini sit at four players taken in the last three NBA Drafts.

What is more important is first round selections, though. You want to get real, guaranteed money in the NBA. The first round is where you can get that money.

Every player drafted from Illinois has been in the first round. We are batting 4-for-4 right now in getting first round picks. Arizona only has three first round picks.

Wabbington is going to get paid wherever he goes. Does he want to be drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft? Does he want to get paid at the next level? It is simple: Illinois is the place to be.

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