Rising in-state superstar receives Illinois basketball scholarship offer

Illinois basketball is now targeting a player who could end up being the jewel of a future recruiting class.

The Illini are still in the process of rounding out the class of 2024. Three incoming freshmen are joined by five transfer portal players to help reshape what was an Elite 8 roster last season.

While the coaching staff does a good job remaining in the moment and building in the micro, they have also been laying the groundwork for success with some macro recruiting.

On Wednesday, Howard Williams took to social media to announce that he had received a scholarship offer from the Illini.

Willaims is a 6-foot-5, 180-pound forward who plays for Whitney Young High School up in Chicago. He isn’t rated or ranked because he is from the class of 2027. The young wing just finished up his freshman year in high school, and his stock is already starting to rise.

Illinois wasn’t the first team to come in with an offer to Williams, though. The Illini join Northern Illinois in seeing the true potential of this budding superstar.

Illinois basketball recruiting target Howard Williams continues to show off big-time scoring ability

For only entering his sophomore season, Williams has the polish of a senior. He is a dynamic scorer with the shooting prowess of someone beyond his years.

I love that Williams can score at every level on the court. He can get to the rim, shoot the baby fadeaway, and knock down a three-pointer in your eye. This kid has the ability to put up huge numbers on any given night.

On top of his great scoring ability, Williams is also a monster on the glass. He has a tenacity on the boards that enables him to pull down rebounds at a high level despite being 6-foot-5.

Williams is suiting up for the Meanstreets in the E15 EYBL AAU league. The Meanstreets are 4-1 thus far, and Williams has put his game on display.

In 26 minutes of action per game, Williams is averaging 18.4 points and 9.8 rebounds per contest. These numbers include three double-doubles and a 41-point, 10-round game against Boo Williams.

Another eye-popping number is Williams’ three-point shooting ability. Through five games, Williams is 7-of-13, 53.8%, from three-point range this AAU season.

Illinois is smart by offering Williams a scholarship. This kid doesn’t even have his driver’s license, but he is going to end up being one of the top players in the class of 2027.