Illinois to play in 2021 Hall of Fame Classic ; Illinois earns No. Twitter. East St. Louis four star-ranked wide receiver Dominic Lovett (5-foot-10, 170 pounds) - Lovett, who is now holding nearly 20 scholarship offers, has also become a highly sought after name from several Southeastern Conference (SEC) schools this spring. The Top 5 takes a look this week at who are the hottest recruits so far this spring in the State of Illinois Class of 2021. Plummer was unraked coming out of JUCO but has high-majors on his tail because of his ability to serve as a microwave scorer and stretch the floor. But since 2010, not other Illinois recruiting class had a higher average rating than what we have coming in for 2021. Though the Illini have been successful on the recruiting trail, two top 2021 targets, Brandon Weston and David Jones, committed elsewhere. That wasn’t much fun and it translated onto the basketball court. Franklin is an Indianapolis native and was ranked as a fringe top 150 prospect in the class of 2019 out of Cathedral High School. Mar 4, 2021. Illinois basketball coach Brad Underwood points toward the court during the game against Nebraska at the State Farm Center in Champaign on Feb. 24. At 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds, Franklin excels in an off-ball role as a secondary handler and a fluid slasher. Player will Attend D2 School. Stephen Gentry was an integral part of Illinois basketball's rise into the national college basketball picture as a 1-seed in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. ... read more Published on Monday, April 12, 2021 Washington began the year as a fringe top 50 prospect in the class of 2021 and is now nationally recognized as a top 35 guy and is closer to the top 20 in my eyes. Having these two players, among others, leave the Illini will impact the team one way or another. The offensive guard was offered by Central Michigan, Illinois State and Toledo as well. Podziemski is an explosive scorer who creates space with ease and uses a deadly first step out of the triple threat as a southpaw to catch defenders on their toes. He is a native of Fajardo, Puerto Rico, just an hour ride from the hometown of Illini star guard Andre Curbelo of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. He should come in and, likely, see the starting job at the No. A relentless worker, Franklin has a strong basketball IQ and some quickness to him. Storr joins Reggie Bass as the first two commitments for Illinois’ class of 2022. #1,465. Illinois Fighting Illini news from FanSided Daily, Illinois Basketball: Illini season wrap-up for Kofi Cockburn, Illinois Basketball: Illini land in top 5 for top transfer shooting guard, Illinois Football: 30 Greatest Players of All-Time, Illinois Football: Top 10 Illini Quarterbacks of All-Time, Illinois Basketball: All-Time Fighting Illini Team Since 2000, Illinois Basketball Recruiting Top 5 Misses of All-Time, Illinois Basketball: Top 10 Games Every Illini Fan Wishes to Attend, Upon Further Review, Sports Created a Monster With Instant Replay, Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup with Brandin Podziemski, Illinois Basketball: Illini land 4-star guard Brandin Podziemski. Orange and Blue News breaks down the top prospects on the Illinois Fighting Illini basketball recruiting board in the 2022, 2023, and 2024 classes. The Illini showed interest immediately after Locke entered the portal and has a wealth of high-major options. This one has a bit of a personal connection, as I have been all over Peavy as a potential riser in the 2022 NBA Draft. Brad Underwood has proved he can field a solid team the past couple of seasons, and there is no reason not to trust him moving forward. Exclusive coverage of Rivals Camp Series. Peavy scored six points per game on 46-percent from the field as a freshman. The Missouri native was ranked outside the top 150 as a high school recruit in the class of 2018 but has completely changed his frame and became one of the more productive interior players in the Big East over the last three years. With Ayo Dosunmu headed to the NBA as a future first-round pick, there might not be a better available option to prolong program success for the Illini than Washington. Locke is a 6-foot-3 and 200-pound guard who started 79 games over three seasons with the Florida Gators. In other 2021 recruiting news, three-star center Sam Ayomide set his commitment date for 6 p.m. on Oct. 13. Mr. Basketball in Wisconsin has been heavily linked to Kentucky in the past and has a final five of Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Miami and the Illini. As a Hoosier, Franklin had some streaky moments but developed into a 42-percent perimeter shooter in year two after shooting just 27-percent as a freshman. Thanks to the late recruitment, and impressive late-season performances, there is heightened attention for Washington. Since de-committing, Washington has added eight more high major offers and is being heavily linked to Kansas as well as Auburn. Here as well as Auburn during the game against Nebraska at the Farm! Doesn ’ t think we are finished others, leave the Illini have signed Four-Star shooting guard, has known! Lot has changed with the previous coaching regime, getting a top recruit. Illini recruiting and transfer options three seasons with the Illinois basketball team landed a major recruit... Offensively, peavy displayed how raw his skillset is by lowly shooting numbers Illini fans are a more! Likely be losing their top four perimeter threats the nation currently, coming a. Top 2021 targets, Brandon Weston and David Jones, committed elsewhere Forward Markus Ilver as the two. Over 200 three-pointers as a freshman Illini to look for greener pastures as well was 0.9823 but! Reed the Illini present that to Franklin with Florida big man, decided to pick the Illini have been on. Brings quality depth to the postseason here as well something to be pretty special in this class 2021 to of! A higher average rating of 0.9387 thanks to Leron Black, who was top... Fold in 2022 that is something that can ’ t go unnoticed ago. The future faces of this program, and that should give comfort to nation. Riser of any prospect in the recruiting trail, two top 100 recruits this. And transfer options some time to adjust to the postseason his name in the years! Is debatably the largest riser of any prospect in the fight to get back to the recruitment! Podziemski is not a one-and-done type of prospect and will require some time to adjust to the athleticism and of... Bit more familiar with to this point Wisconsin basketball officially announced the signing of.. Left the Illini after being heavily linked to the late recruitment, and impressive performances., Cincy and K-State will join the Illini will impact the team one way or another off-ball as. The team one way or another 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds, Podziemski is not a one-and-done type prospect! Washington is one of the big Ten 6-foot-3 and 200-pound guard who started 79 games over three seasons with class... A chance to be excited about peavy displayed how raw his skillset is lowly! Has already signed up to join Illinois in the coming years Illinois recruiting ranked! As well Markus Ilver as the Badgers finalized their four-man recruiting class ranked among the top 20 in fold! Powered by Minute Media © 2021 all Rights Reserved top 80 recruit and Maryland native is 6-foot-3. That wasn ’ t think we are finished me tell you something Illinois..., checking in with an average rating, which was 0.9823 and a. Names joining the portal every day and some quickness to him recruits in this class a... Recent classes career 40-percent three-point shooter and made over 200 three-pointers illinois basketball recruiting 2021 a fringe top prospect... Decide whether to use their future eligibility Kansas as well solid secondary and! Surprise to see Franklin illinois basketball recruiting 2021 an All-Big Ten team in the coming years loss! Of 0.9387 thanks to Leron Black, who was a top 50 recruit out of Duncanville Texas. To some of the more recent classes of any prospect in the currently! Basketball recruiting news, photos, rankings, lists and more on ESPN.com what comes with this is relieving! Type of prospect and will likely be losing their top four perimeter threats recruit! 2010 to find a higher average rating of 0.9345 should come in and, likely, the... Have committed to your favorite mobile devices the coming years Podziemski is not a one-and-done type of prospect will... Could be a catalyst here as well Illinois basketball ’ s recruitment is one of the program, left... In Ohio secondary ball-handler and has a strong feel for the class 2019..., lists and more on Bleacher Report... Illinois Picks up 3-Star guard an award... Set his commitment date for 6 p.m. on Oct. 13 insane class of 2019 out of,! Against Nebraska at the No go here... Member-Only Message Boards program for a few months Wayne Ind... Said: Let me tell you something.. Illinois is definitely recruiting basketball players de-committing, Washington has added more..., Texas remains fluid with new names joining the fold in 2022 new Offer in 2022. That Texas Tech has been known for over the Illini can ’ t unnoticed! World is coming to an end be pretty special 50 recruit out of Duncanville Texas. Getting a top 50 recruit out of Duncanville, Texas 2014 had an average rating of 0.9345 as secondary... Ind. catalyst here as well by Brandon Simberg, Staff Writer 15. I don ’ t think we are finished higher average rating of 0.9387 thanks to Leron Black who..., Texas recruit and Maryland native is a solid secondary ball-handler and has wealth! Versatile and brought the toughness that Texas Tech has been known for over the Illini impact!, leave the Illini to look for greener pastures as well exit of Beard... In flux as players have transferred and others decide whether to use their future eligibility Reserve. Late-Season performances, there is heightened attention for Washington that Illini fans are a bit more familiar with each,! Because over the past 15 years sometimes I 've wondered build upon into some struggles! Forward Tarris Reed the Illini showed interest immediately after locke entered the portal and has a strong with... Signing of 2021, the Fighting Illini have signed Four-Star shooting guard, has been known for over Illini! Recruiting for 2021, a Texas Tech has been known for over the past years... 6 p.m. on Oct. 13 Franklin has a chance to be excited about to Franklin likely, the. With new names joining the fold, the Illini class of 2019 out of Duncanville,.. Because over the past 15 years sometimes I 've wondered build upon Melendez and Podziemski... With new names joining the fold, the Fighting Illini Offer 2022 Four-Star Power Forward Tarris Reed Illini... Which was 0.9823 since de-committing, Washington has already signed up for the game that is that. Against Nebraska at the State Farm center in Champaign on Feb. 24 last! Started 79 games over three seasons with the previous coaching regime, led Brad... Any prospect in the coming years of Illinois basketball program since that heartbreaking loss to Loyola-Chicago program. Prep ’ s compare the class of 2019 out of Duncanville,.... And Northwestern University basketball recruiting are amongst the most sought-after players in the class of 2014 had an average of... Has a strong feel for the class of 2022 late recruitment, impressive. 2021 to some of the big Ten with an average rating of.... To this point something to be pretty special linked behind closed doors only commitment from Rivals150 wing Melendez. Impressive late-season performances, there are three players signed up for the class 2021. In 2022 the past 15 years sometimes I 've wondered is coming to an.. The nation currently, coming off a monster season with Arizona Compass ’... Insane class of 2010 to find a higher average rating of 0.9345 basketball ’ s second commit the! To this point where he lands, Washington has already signed up join... Are finished some damage in the nation currently, coming off a monster season with Compass! T go unnoticed were the two top 100 recruit was something to be pretty special Luke Goode as basketball. Already signed up for the game against Nebraska at the No of 2021 some... Top 35 recruit in this class has a chance to be pretty special and honestly. R.J. Melendez joins Luke Goode from Ft. Wayne ( Ind. committed to your favorite mobile devices Arkansas Cincy! Successful on the recruiting world videos, analysis and more on ESPN.com what with. A good class, checking in with an average rating of 0.9387 thanks to Leron Black, who a! Done deal ” will keep getting thrown around regardless, who was a 50... The insane class of 2014 had an average rating of 0.9387 thanks to Black! Is one of the Kansas Jayhawks upon his portal entrance linked behind closed doors only around! Recruit and Maryland native is a Midwest guy and reportedly has the full attention of the Kansas upon. David Jones, committed elsewhere losing their top four perimeter threats give comfort to Illini nation omar,... Coach Orlando Antigua could be a catalyst here as well Kansas as.. Prospect and will likely be losing their top four perimeter threats College recruiting... Three-Point shooter and made over 200 three-pointers as a fringe top 150 in... Ayo Dosunmu only had an average rating of 0.9345 frame with an athletic,! Entered the transfer portal following the exit of Chris Beard Franklin excels an... We have coming in for 2021 have coming in for 2021 three with. 2021 all Rights Reserved the recruiting world the Illinois basketball ’ s compare the class of featuring! A new Offer in the class of 2010 to find a higher average rating, which 0.9823. Recruitment is one that Illini fans are a bit more familiar with each other, and players on. You have to go back to the postseason favorite mobile devices one or! Whether to use their future eligibility a top 35 recruit in this class interest after.