Updated Illinois basketball transfer portal wish list includes a familiar name

Dai Dai Ames - Kansas State Wildcats

Backcourt help seems to be a trend with who the Illinois basketball team is targeting right now. We are clearly looking for more talent, and Dai Dai Ames fits that bill.

Coming out of Kenwood Academy in Chicago, Ames was a four-star recruit who was the No. 64 player in the class of 2023. Illinois was one of the teams that was recruiting him hard, but Ames decided to head out of state and committed to Kansas State.

Ames played well during his freshman season. He started in 16 contests and played in 31 games for the Wildcats. Ames finished the year averaging 5.2 points, 2.0 assists, and 1.1 rebounds per game. After the season, Ames decided to enter the transfer portal and look for a new home.

Being from Chicago, it is obvious that Illinois would be interested in the talented point guard. He is someone who can handle the ball well, and Ames would give the Illini more depth in the backcourt.

I would be interested in seeing what Brad Underwood would do with the roster if Ames did come to Champaign. He didn’t put up eye-popping numbers as a freshman, so a starting spot isn’t guaranteed. I think there would be a chance he is the primary backup to Ty Rodgers and gets something like 20 minutes per game.