The Illinois basketball team has started the 2024-25 season on the right foot with just three losses, and we haven’t fallen to a bad team.
This solid start has the Illini in line with another NCAA tournament bid. Winning also helps on the recruiting front. While success on the court matters less to recruits today than it did years ago due to NIL, it still makes a difference to show young athletes the ability to make money while still winning.
I believe the Illini class of 2025 will shape into a top 20 class in the country. Right now, we have Brandon Lee and Keaton Wagler signed up, and they give us the No. 49 class in the country. With the transfer portal so vital in the process, I am sure Brad Underwood and the coaching staff will load up after the season concludes.
Illinois fans should also keep an eye on the class of 2026. While it is still nearly a year away from really heating up, the Illini are putting big resources into quite a few recruits. One of the top players to keep an eye on is Adam Oumiddoch.
Oumiddoch is a 6-foot-5, 180-pound shooting guard who plays for Overtime Elite in Georgia. He is rated as a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 28 player in the class of 2026. He is also the No. 9 shooting guard in the country and the No. 4 player coming out of Georgia.
Back in June, Oumiddoch took to social media to announce that Illinois had come in with a scholarship offer. Since then, the Illini have been in contact with him on multiple occasions.
Numerous media outlets have Illinois basketball squarely in the middle of the recruitment for Adam Oumiddoch
While Illinois has been recruiting quite a few players, they haven’t let Oumiddoch slip through the cracks. Back in October, the Illini were in contact with the talented shooting guard. And, as of late, the recruitment has really taken the next step.
On December 19, Brandon Jenkins of 247Sports reported that Illinois is hammering out a date for Oumiddoch to take a visit to Champaign.
Adam Oumiddoch, the No. 39 overall recruit in the national junior class, says four schools come to mind with how often each program reaches out.
— Brandon Jenkins (@BJenkins247) December 18, 2024
He discussed his thoughts on each school involved while @TarkClassic.
𝐕𝐈𝐏 https://t.co/T2mtreQoS0 pic.twitter.com/rfyRU7aCho
And then on December 24, Jamie Shaw of On3.com posted an article about Oumiddoch. In the article, he talks about a few schools including Illinois and what his recruitment timeline is right now.
Adam Oumiddoch, a 4⭐️ SG in 2026, breaks down schools as he talks relationships and timelines in his recruitment 🎯
— Jamie Shaw (@JamieShaw5) December 24, 2024
RESD: https://t.co/1mV4WW6dNu pic.twitter.com/A2Efvq1cE9
I can see why Oumiddoch is a top recruit in the country too. There is a lot to love about his game. The first thing that jumps off the page to me is his ability to get to the rim.
I believe Oumiddoch is more of a wing and less of a No. 2 guard. I think he would play the Tre White role way more than a backcourt role. Oumiddoch has a nice big body that can take hits. He also has a great first move off the perimeter that allows him to get into the lane and to the hoop.
Oumiddoch can shoot from long range too. He has a release that reminds me of Malcolm Hill, but this kid can be dominant at all levels on the court. Illinois is doing a great job putting resources into bringing Oumiddoch to Champaign.