Top 5 Illinois basketball crucial transfer portal targets

4. Xavier Amos – Northern Illinois Huskies

I love what Illinois has in the frontcourt for the upcoming season. Amani Hansberry and Morez Johnson Jr. are going to be a force to be reckoned with in the paint.

Adding depth with these two talented players is important too. We need players who will push these guys to be the best. That is why I want someone like Xavier Amos.

Amos is looking for a new home after a great season with Northern Illinois. He ended the 2023-24 campaign averaging 13.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 1.2 assists per game. He also had decent shooting numbers, as he attempted 4.2 three-point shots per game and hit them at a clip of 38.5%.

Again, Illinois is going after another kid from the state of Illinois. Amos is from Chicago, and we have had luck with recruits out of the Windy City.

I think Amos could be a big-time player for the Illini. I firmly believe Morez is going to be starting at the No. 5 spot next season. Brad Underwood always starts players he has recruited who were ranked inside the top 50 in their recruiting class.

That leaves Amos at the No. 4 spot. Does he start over Hansberry in 2024-25? I think it would be a battle at the end of the day. I imagine Amos probably takes the starting job but is in a timeshare with Hansberry. These two would see around 20 minutes per game, and Illinois’ frontcourt would be absolutely dirty.