Top 5 Illinois basketball crucial transfer portal targets

3. Carey Booth – Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Big-time transfer portal players don’t always have to start. While most teams are looking for starters, I think it is smart to also look for players who can come in and contribute with the goal of being a starter in a year or two.

I think that is the mold Carey Booth fits into. He is a 6-foot-10, 203-pound forward who has decided to transfer from Notre Dame after his freshman season. With the Fighting Irish, Booth averaged 6.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest.

Booth is an unpolished player who needs some development but is a great athlete. The framework for a superstar is there, and all he needs is some good coaching like Brad Underwood and the Illini staff.

The shooting metrics aren’t great for Booth, and I think that is what needs the most improvement. He hit 39.1% from the field, 29.7% from three-point range, and 63.4% from the free throw line as a freshman. The great thing about Booth is that I don’t think he has to start if he picks Illinois.

I want Booth as a development piece who comes off the bench and can dominate athletically. I have him as a primary reserve at the No. 4 or No. 5 spot on the court. He is someone who can play either role, which makes his presence even more valuable.

Illinois needs to build depth, as that will help take us back to the Elite 8 and further. Booth would be a perfect depth option for the Illini next season.