No. 5 Center/Forward
Starter: Morez Johnson Jr. (FR)
When you are a special freshman, you start in the Illinois basketball lineup. Ayo Dosunmu, Kofi Cockburn, Adam Miller, Ty Rodgers, etc. all experienced this. Brad Underwood starts special players, and that is why I have Morez Johnson Jr. starting for the Illini.
Johnson put up massive numbers at the high school level, and I believe his game will translate well in college. He can suck up rebounds, and his ability to shoot from different levels is exciting. I fully expect Johnson to go through some growing pains, but he is going to be sensational for the Orange and Blue. Look for Johnson to start at the No. 5 spot from day one.
Backup: Jason Jakstys (FR)
Illinois doesn’t have a ton of frontcourt depth, and that is why I have Jason Jakstys currently as the primary backup at the No. 5 spot. I think Jakstys could have a bright future, but it would be optimal if he could sit a year and get strong.
Jakstys has a nice shot. He is someone who could stretch the floor for the Illini. That is something I want down the road, though. I think this kid could develop into a nice player for the program.
Backup: Transfer Portal (Carey Booth)
One of the top priorities for the Illinois basketball team should be frontcourt depth. With the final scholarship, I think we should target a nice big frontcourt player. My eyes are set on Carey Booth.
Booth took a visit to Illinois, and he has exactly what I am looking for in size. The 6-foot-10, 203-pound big man is coming off his freshman season with Notre Dame where he averaged 6.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. I would have Booth as the primary backup to Johnson at the No. 5 spot if he picked Illinois.