Illinois basketball fans are seeing what fun it is to have some size in the paint.
This season, the Illini have trotted out multiple 7-foot big men. While Tomislav Ivisic, 7-foot-1, is currently hurt and should be back sometime in the coming months, his brother, Zvonimir, 7-foot-2, is holding his own in the paint.
Brad Underwood did a great job going out and landing both Ivisic brothers over the last two seasons. Having talented big men has been a trend with Underwood, and that trend will hopefully continue by landing Sinan Huan.
On Monday, Joe Tipton of On3.com reported that a 7-foot, four-star center has cut his list down to three programs. That center was later learned to be Huan, and he has decided to cut his list down to just Purdue, Ohio State, and Illinois. Per Tipton, a decision is coming later this week.
A 7-foot, four-star center has cut his list to three schools — Purdue, Illinois and Ohio State.
— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) November 10, 2025
His commitment announcement is expected later this week.
Story + the latest buzz (+): https://t.co/VqwQy1icB7 pic.twitter.com/YQqv7VZvmz
Huan is a 7-foot, 225-pound center from Georgetown Prep in Maryland. He is rated as a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 72 player in the class of 2026. He is also the No. 8 center in the country and the No. 4 player coming out of Maryland.
When you look at the style of play and the type of player Huan is on the court, you immediately think that Purdue has the edge in this recruitment. But with Illinois’ recent history of landing recruits, and our ability to recruit on the East Coast, I wouldn’t count us out.
The Illinois basketball roster would set Sinan Huan up well for the future
There are a lot of programs that would just throw Huan to the wolves and let him suffer. That isn’t the case with Illinois. We have the roster that can ease the big man into action.
If Huan did pick Champaign as his landing spot, he would be behind both Ivisic brothers for one season. This would enable Huan to get stronger and better adjusted to the pace of the college game.
As a redshirt freshman, Illinois then could unleash the big man on the Big Ten. Huan is going to be a really good player. When I watch him, he reminds me a lot of Zach Edey. Hopefully, Illinois can land him and get that type of player in Champaign rather than West Lafayette this time around.