Projected Illinois basketball lineup with the transfer portal addition of Carey Booth

No. 3 Guard/Forward

Starter: Tre White (JR)

Illinois was able to land somewhat of a nomad this offseason in Tre White. The talented wing started at USC, transferred to Louisville, and he is now playing his third season with his third team in Illinois.

White is a good player, though. He averaged 12.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game last season with the Cardinals. His 29.9% from three-point range worries me a bit, but Illinois has some solid shooters. White is going to be more of a rebounder and slasher for the Illini. Just think of Ty Rodgers but more willing to shoot the ball. That is what I believe we are getting with White.

Backup: Jake Davis (SO)

I actually have a lot of confidence in Illinois’ second unit entering the 2024-25 campaign. The depth is going to be phenomenal. The most underrated transfer portal get this offseason might be Jake Davis.

Davis is entering his sophomore season with the Illini. He spent his first year in college with Mercer, and he put up some big numbers. He averaged 9.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 38.7% from three-point range. At 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, Davis should be a nightmare for opposing teams off the bench at the No. 3 spot.

Backup: Transfer Portal Scholarship

I think there is always room for another wing on the team. Dante Maddox Jr. would change the Illinois lineup completely if he picked the Orange and Blue. Another player who would change everything is AJ Storr. He is in the transfer portal but is going through the NBA Draft process. If he comes back, the Illini are in the running. Storr takes a starting job from day one. It does seem that Kansas has a lot of momentum right now, though.