Illinois basketball early 2024 transfer portal wish list

The transfer portal is heating up, and the Illinois basketball team has been extremely active in trying to build next year's roster.

Mar 20, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA;  Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood talks to the media
Mar 20, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood talks to the media | Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
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3. Sincere Parker – Saint Louis Billikens

Not every transfer portal player who Illinois targets needs to be a superstar. I think getting good solid players who can help this program win games is extremely important. That is where I slot Sincere Parker.

Parker wasn’t looked at highly coming out of Compass Prep in Arizona. He wasn’t rated or ranked nationally, so he landed with Moberly Area Community College for his first year in the college ranks.

After one season with Moberly Area CC, Parker transferred out and landed with Saint Louis. He saw decent minutes in year one and was really poised for a great junior year before he was injured. Parker went down with a broken foot four games into the season. He ended up returning and playing from January 10 on, though.

Parker was a big-time scorer this past season. In 16 games, he ended up averaging 15.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest. He also attempted 3.8 three-pointers per game and hit them at a clip of 42.6%.

Numerous teams have been after Parker since he entered the transfer portal, and according to Joe Tipton of On3.com, Illinois is one of those programs.

I see Parker coming into the Illinois program and being a primary reserve. He could have the role of Justin Harmon from this season. I believe Parker would be a bigger playmaker and contributor, though. This kid has a lot of talent and could help the Illini greatly.

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