Right now, Dosunmu is the only player in the country to average more than 20 points, five assists, and six rebounds while shooting better than 50 percent on two-pointers and 40 percent on three-pointers. The latest information on Illini recruiting for all fans.Illini Pulse delivers for every Orange and Blue fan - after all, you are the Illini Pulse.Weekly podcasts with guests and updates. Dosunmu was considered the top basketball player in the city and a borderline five-star prospect depending on which recruiting service you trusted. Illinois was swept out of the 2018 Maui Invitational. Irvin pleaded with Dosunmu to take over more often offensively, but the sophomore was content to defend and distribute while Moore pushed for Mr. Basketball. In this Hot and Cold story, we break down where Illinois stands with many of the top players in 2021, the status of Kofi Cockburn and Ayo Dosunmu, and which transfers are still options. It was another impressive accomplishment in his prep career, but his body never had much time to recover from nagging leg and ankle injuries. Dosunmu went back to the EYBL circuit months later and certified his borderline five-star status. These stories only ended one way. He’ll offer up insights every morning on Brad Underwood’s team: Illinois doubled the size of its 2021 recruiting class when it landed a commitment from four-star forward R.J. Melendez to go with four-star guard Luke Goode. The 6-7, 205-pound Canadian forward is spending a post-grad season at IMG Academy (Fla.). Illinois doubled the size of its 2021 recruiting class when it landed a commitment from four-star forward R.J. Melendez to go with four-star guard Luke Goode. Again, Dosunmu had a decision to make: turn pro or return for his junior year. He decided to transfer to Morgan Park, one of the city’s premier programs. Low near 35F. His junior year, he won us a lot of games late.”. Welcome to “Good Morning, Illini Nation,” your daily dose of college basketball news from Il…, Late made free throws the difference for Illinois, Welcome to “Good Morning, Illini Nation,” your daily dose of college basketball news from Illini beat writer and AP Top 25 voter Scott Richey.…. The Illini lost close games to Maryland, Miami (FL), and Missouri to start the season, but things fully started to click in the heart of conference season. This is the impact Illinois basketball was always waiting for when it pinned its hopes and dreams on high schoolers who ultimately decided they’d rather play college basketball somewhere else. The Illini are finally back in the NCAA tournament, and they aren’t just happy to be there. He hit a bomb to beat Indiana and a mid-range shot to down Iowa. Illinois athletics director Josh Whitman (right) and Illini head men's basketball coach Brad Underwood (left) talking during a media conference on the day of … Etienne is someone who would be the centerpiece to the class of 2021. Charles cut his list to three Friday, including Illinois, Marquette and Tulsa as his finalists. If Irvin saw his long-term potential, Dosunmu knew it wasn’t his team just yet. Cockburn provided a much needed infusion of talent as the No. Ayo Dosunmu is the star Illini basketball always needed How Chicago native Ayo Dosunmu left a lasting legacy at Illinois. If some expected him to leave school for good, his father wasn’t one of them. Welcome to “Good Morning, Illini Nation,” your daily dose of college basketball news from Illini beat writer and AP Top 25 voter Scott Richey. 2 overall prospect in America out of Chicago’s Curie High School, mistakenly picked up an Illinois hat for a moment before revealing that he’d spend his lone college season in Lawrence. By Ricky O'Donnell Mar 11, 2021, 11:58am EST basketball recruiting. Before long, Dosunmu had gone from unranked to a top-40 recruit flirting with five-star status on some publications. Illinois captivated the country behind Dee Brown, Deron Williams, and Luther Head, but it couldn’t turn an iconic team into future wins on the recruiting trail. The thought of a highly-touted recruit listing the Illini as a finalist was enough to trigger feelings of dread and resignation for anyone who cared about the program. 72 in the Class of 2021 by 247Sports. Finally, the Illini had a big man who could fortify the paint on defense and provide interior scoring. He finished off Northwestern with a deep pull-up. He ended the regular season making 40 percent of his three-pointers, a massive improvement from last season, even if it’s still on modest volume. Ayo Dosunmu is the star Illini basketball always needed, The reaction video of Illinois fans watching Alexander’s mishap, wearing an Illini jersey to school at nearby Peoria the day before picking Duke. By Larry Smith/IlliniGuys.com This is what All-Americans do. Ayo to the rescue, saves the Illini from disaster in Nebraska. Dosunmu was the catalyst and was fully growing into his reputation as one of the best closers in the sport. “Illinois is our state program,” Dosunmu’s father told SB Nation. Good Morning, Illini Nation: UI finalists for two 2021 recruits, Good Morning, Illini Nation: Dosunmu's next step, Good Morning, Illini Nation: Breaking down the 'Huskers, Good Morning, Illini Nation: The two-foul situation, Good Morning, Illini Nation: A closer look at the AP Top 25, Good Morning, Illini Nation: 'Bring them on', Gameday Central: Illini fend off late Wisconsin charge for road win. He doesn’t love how the mask affects his vision, but it has a way of making him look even more intimidating. Many have speculated on who the top priorities are right now for the Illinois basketball staff in the class of 2021. The success Dosunmu has experienced as a junior is the direct result of a hard-charging offseason meant to transform his body and his skill set. They held him to a high standard, not considering each drill complete until he made 80 percent of his shots. Dosunmu improved his scoring average to a team-best 16.6 points per game and was named All-Big Ten First Team. He debuted on the EYBL’s 17U level in the spring and started opening eyes. His email is srichey@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@srrichey). By Brandon Simberg, Staff Writer September 3, 2020. To hear his family tell it, he may have made a different choice if not for the pandemic. His first scholarship offer came from Illinois-Chicago and assistant coach Ron ‘Chin’ Coleman. He’s getting to the line more than ever — a 34 percent free throw rate, up from 25 percent each of his first two years — and he’s making the freebies when he gets there. That legacy — one of the great players in the history of Illini basketball — has already been cemented. Merely an update on some Class of 2021 Illini recruits/targets that are hitting the court this winter: Luke Goode, Fort Wayne (Ind.) With Moore off to play college ball at Cal, Morgan Park would be his team. Illini Hope to Find Gem With Late 2021 Commit of DB Kionte Curry. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph.. Cloudy. Mar 2, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) dunks on Michigan Wolverines center Hunter Dickinson (1) in the second half at Crisler Center. The Mustangs were led by Nick Irvin, the boisterous and affable head coach whose family also runs the city’s top grassroots program on Nike’s EYBL circuit, the Mac Irvin Fire. “He didn’t pass the eye test to me,” Quam Dosunmu said. It started 1-7 in Big Ten play and finished only above Nebraska and Northwestern in the conference. Currently, Illinois sits with anywhere from 10 to 12 scholarship players and are heavily recruiting some transfers, reclassifications, and even potential returnees. Illinois Makes Kordell Charles’ Final Three. Eric Gordon verbally committed to Illinois only to end up at Indiana. Illini Pulse delivers for every Orange and Blue fan - after all, you are the Illini Pulse. He got together with his inner circle — his parents Jamarra and Quam, his sisters Joselynn and Khadijat, his brother Kube — and made a decision that felt natural for him. Recruiting. USC, Xavier, NC State, and Wake Forest were all-in. Basketball 2020-21 Big Ten Basketball Preview November 6, 2020 85 Basketball Recruiting PODCAST: Illini Pulse Swami Scope Live- Bryce Hopkins….The IlliniPulse - Basketball Database The latest information on Illini recruiting for all fans.Illini Pulse delivers for every Orange and Blue fan - after all, you are the Illini Pulse.Weekly podcasts with guests and updates. Illinois and then-head coach John Groce offered shortly after. Home. I think that allowed me to put in the work I needed.”. Welcome to “Good Morning, Illini Nation,” your daily dose of college basketball news from Illini beat writer and AP Top 25 voter Scott Richey. Good Morning, Illini Nation: Underwood on the end of the regular season, Good Morning, Illini Nation: Defensive success, Good Morning, Illini Nation: Making national news, N-G top 10: Boys' basketball (March 12, 2021), Big Ten tournament preview: No. Scott Richey covers college basketball for The News-Gazette. Hardy is a 6-foot-4, 190-pound combo-guard from Coronado High School and resides in Henderson, Nevada. Feb 25, 2021 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The playing status for Illinois All-American guard Ayo Dosunmu is reportedly unclear following the shot he took to … Dosunmu was hailed as the Illini’s savior when he committed, but those around him sensed it wasn’t going to happen overnight. Dosunmu didn’t have much time to heal up after high school season — he was invited to try out for USA Basketball’s U18 team in the FIBA Americas Championship, made the team, and flew to Ontario for the competition. The recruiting attention he is … “We had a chance to win the Big Ten Tournament and I had a chance to improve my stock,” Donsumu said. The player he is today wouldn’t be possible without it. After leading Morgan Park back to the state title game, he scored a record 28 points in the final outing to bring the Mustangs back-to-back championships. With a likely No. Three and a half years later, Dosunmu has become the best guard in college basketball, and maybe even its best player. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Football Recruiting - Spotlight on 2021 TE Lucas Althaus . If I was asked today, who I think a sleeper for 2021 Mr. basketball or Gatorade player of the year The latest information on Illini recruiting for all fans. Podziemski earned his third straight Midwest Classic Conference Player of the Year honor earlier this month after averaging 35.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 5.0 steals and 1.3 blocks for St. John's Northwestern Academies (Wis.), Top 5️⃣ #AGTG@PhenomUniverse @SJNAHoops @TiptonEdits pic.twitter.com/3R8lPHHZ3i. Cliff Alexander, then the No. “Frustrating nights. From the time he entered the program until now, Dosunmu says he put on at least 25 pounds of muscle. The reaction video of Illinois fans watching Alexander’s mishap felt like the program’s defining moment since the Final Four run. High 58F. Jon Scheyer became a legend for his scoring outbursts at suburban Glenbrook North playing for the brother of Illinois coach Bruce Weber, but he still picked Duke over heading to Champaign. He put up gaudy scoring numbers all season and led Westinghouse to a conference championship that put the school back to the Red division with the rest of the Public League powers. Suddenly, Dosunmu was crowned the next big thing in the city. It had the second-worst defense in the Big Ten and an offense that ranked No. “It’s going to come down to you closing out games and closing out teams. Jalen Brunson picked Villanova. 83 in the country. Illinois basketball, for once, didn’t come in second. We like building things. He is rated as a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. Pick-and-rolls including passes make up half of Dosunmu’s possessions, and Illinois has scored in the 88th percentile in the country on those play types. Basketball; basketball recruiting; Featured; Football; Podcasts; Illini-Nebraska Post Game Heat Checks . “Baked chicken, macaroni, mashed potatoes, salad,” Dosunmu recalls. He's from Cambridge High School (enrollment 179) and though his HUDL video lists him at 6'5, 215 pounds, his recruiting profiles indicate that he's gained 20 pounds, and is now a sturdier 235 pounds. “It took so many long nights in the gym,” Dosunmu told SB Nation. Weekly podcasts with guests and updates. When it came to fine-tuning his skill set, Dosunmu went back to the only trainer he’s had his entire life: his family. 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 Irvin had coached plenty of great players, but he quickly realized Dosunmu could be better than all of them. Dosunmu had whittled down his college choice to Illinois and Wake Forest, and he wasn’t about to give any clues before he revealed his decision at the Jordan Brand store in the heart of downtown Chicago. You have permission to edit this article. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. “Five to 10 years from now, the legacy I leave at my home school will mean more than anywhere else.”. I tried to accept it for what it was.”. Illinois had lost two key players to transfer over the offseason in Mark Smith and Michael Finke, leaving a young team without much proven talent or depth in the front court. Welcome to the Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread 2021 Illini Signees Luke Goode (2021 G) committed on April 17th 2020, signed on November 11th 2020 #2 Dec 31, 2020. logjam. Football Basketball Recruiting Olympic Sports Home. The final chapter just might be the best part yet. Illinois fans remembered Shaun Livingston wearing an Illini jersey to school at nearby Peoria the day before picking Duke. He was back for his sophomore season with a goal of going from top prospect to top player. The elder Dosunmus recorded every shot Ayo was taking in his training sessions and compared it to what they saw in games. I believe these 5 will eventually be Illini in the near future. “There was too many uncertainness that came with draft process, with the G League during Covid. Morgan Park would win a state championship without him. This was a young team and a bad team by any measure, but there were flashes of the player Dosunmu would eventually become. The team appeared to be entering a rebuilding phase, but Dosunmu wouldn’t let that happen. Recruiting. The Illini could be in line to double their class again after winding up as finalists for four-star guard Brandin Podziemski and three-star forward Kordell Charles the past two days. Illinois was a perfect fit.”. “Talking to my family, they really helped me make the best decision for myself and for my long-term future. Morgan Park was upset in the super-sectional round of the state playoffs, but Dosunmu’s reputation was starting to take off. He owes the former to Illinois strength and conditioning coach Adam Fletcher. Dosunmu made that last shot while wearing a black mask after suffering a broken nose at the end of a close loss against Michigan State. Illinois has a top-10 offense and top-10 defense, one of only three teams in America that can say that. Ayo Dosunmu put on an all black outfit when he woke up to go to school on October 19, 2017. Underwood has spread the floor around the two-man game of Dosunmu and Cockburn with electric results. 1 seed. 72 player in the class of 2021 and the No. Illini Basketball . Writing Illini Illinois Basketball: Full scouting report on Illini commit RJ Melendez. 1 seed next to their name, Dosunmu is thinking about the Final Four and the national championship. Dosunmu played through another leg injury as a senior, but he wasn’t going to let it keep him off the floor. It started to feel like making the Illini your second choice was a rite of passage for top local recruits who were deciding where they would play college basketball. Mar 6, 2021; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andre Curbelo (5) dives for a loose ball ahead of Ohio State Buckeyes forward Justin Ahrens (10) at Value City Arena. “But Covid had other plans. The late game heroics have, of course, been there again. Along the way, he’s helped make the Illini one of the country’s very best teams. Basketball; basketball recruiting; Featured; Football; Podcasts; Nimari Burnett Decision Coming Soon . He iced a win over Wisconsin with a step-back three. “I thought I had a chance to do something special at Illinois.”. Here are the top five Illini recruiting targets left for the class of 2021. “It’s either state championship or bust,” Irvin recalls telling Dosunmu. Charles is ranked as high as No. One of Editor & Publisher’s ‘10 That Do It Right 2021’. Dosunmu and his family didn’t want to let speculation over his college decision hang over his senior year. There, Dosunmu teamed with current NBA players Coby White, Cole Anthony, and Tyrese Maxey and finished sixth on the team in scoring as the Americans won the gold medal. Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (January 2021) Status Not open for further replies. To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin. Illinois had hired a new head coach in Brad Underwood, and he hired a new assistant: Chin Coleman, the same coach who gave Dosunmu his first scholarship. Illinois added a very interesting preferred walk-on today in Lucas Althaus.