The Illinois basketball program has seen a resurgence in recent years, and it can be attributed to Ayo Dosunmu
Dosunmu, a product of Chicago, Illinois, was Illinois' highest-rated recruit since Jereme Richmond from the class of 2010. He held that title for five years until guard Skyy Clark committed to the program in April 2022.
The 2020-21 USA Today National Player of the Year was a staple in Champaign for three years and easily became one of the most accomplished players in program history. Dosunmu left a lasting legacy in Illinois, and during a recent media scrum, he explained how joining the Illini was the "best decision of his life."
"I made the best decision of my life coming to Illinois"
— Tristan Thomas (@TristanThomasTV) September 11, 2026
Former #Illini Ayo Dosunmu has enjoyed seeing other players come to Illinois and follow in his footsteps by leaving a legacy:
"It's not just about these 3-4 years... it's about the 10 years after that." pic.twitter.com/C716zSNA14
Dosunmu was the face of the men's basketball program between 2018 and 2021, leading Illinois to it's first NCAA tournament appearance since 2012 in his final season with the program. During his tenure, Dosunmu averaged 16.7 points and 3.9 assists through 90 games played.
The Morgan Park High School graduate was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft. He would later be traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in February 2026, where he signed a 5-year, $112 million contract after a successful playoff run.
Recruits across the country should pay attention to Dosunmu's praise for the Illinois basketball program
It's a surreal feeling to have five-star recruits interested in Illinois on a regular basis. For years, this program has been looking for three-star and four-star players to fill out their roster. Now, they have guys like Brady Pettigrew and Moussa Kamissoko paying visits to Champaign.
The men's basketball program has come a long way in the Underwood era, and a lot of the credit can be given to Dosunmu. He didn't need to come to Illinois, but he wanted to stay home, and his presence helped start the turnaround the Illini desperately needed.
Dosunmu has become the perfect person to carry the torch for Illinois, and someone who recruits across the country should look to when considering the Illini. He believes in leaving a legacy, which is something you don't see a lot in today's game.
This doesn't mean that kids coming into college should expect the same path to the pros as Dosunmu. But his praise shows that Brad Underwood has built a special program where kids have the ability to develop into something great.
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