Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[Dan]

Welcome to the Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

2026 Recruiting
1) Ethan Brown (2026 G) committed on July 30th, 2025, signed on November 15th, 2025.
2) Landon Davis (2026 F) committed on August 6th, 2025, signed on November 12th, 2025.
3) Lucas Morillo (2026 G) committed on October 24th, 2025, signed on November 19th, 2025.

2027 Recruiting
1) Quinton Kitt (2027 F) committed on November 27th, 2025.
2) Mason Martin (2027 G) committed on January 16th, 2026.

 

[logjam]

 

[NarrowJ]

The way-too-early 2026 B1G roster tracker

Keaton Wagler, Hannes Steinbach, Morez Johnson Jr, Alijah Arenas all excluded from rosters as they're all currently mocked top 20

Obviously, we won't keep everyone, but that sort of goes for everyone nowadays

Notes:
- RSCI column for freshman is instead the 247 composite (because RSCI isn't finalized yet)
- Stats are all blank (will fill in at end of the season)

B1G Roster Tracker

docs.google.com

 

[Emerson Bigguns]

The way-too-early 2026 B1G roster tracker

Keaton Wagler, Hannes Steinbach, Morez Johnson Jr, Alijah Arenas all excluded from rosters as they're all currently mocked top 20

Obviously, we won't keep everyone, but that sort of goes for everyone nowadays

Notes:
- RSCI column for freshman is instead the 247 composite (because RSCI isn't finalized yet)
- Stats are all blank (will fill in at end of the season)

B1G Roster Tracker

docs.google.com

Perhaps I'm mistaken, but I don't think its a foregone conclusion that Ben can return. He played this year due to the Pavia ruling, but I think another waiver would have to be granted.

 

[NarrowJ]

Perhaps I'm mistaken, but I don't think its a foregone conclusion that Ben can return. He played this year due to the Pavia ruling, but I think another waiver would have to be granted.

I read another post saying this earlier today too, and I think you guys are correct. There’s about 10+ guys across the conference in this same situation. Think I’ll go ahead and operate under the assumption they’re all donezo and remove them all.

 

[HailtotheChief]

So what arr the odds we or snyone gets Luigi? I see espn has him rated at 77 in next years draft. I think he is better than that.

 

[HailtotheChief]

The way-too-early 2026 B1G roster tracker

Keaton Wagler, Hannes Steinbach, Morez Johnson Jr, Alijah Arenas all excluded from rosters as they're all currently mocked top 20

Obviously, we won't keep everyone, but that sort of goes for everyone nowadays

Notes:
- RSCI column for freshman is instead the 247 composite (because RSCI isn't finalized yet)
- Stats are all blank (will fill in at end of the season)

B1G Roster Tracker

docs.google.com

Rez isnt a top.20 pick at 6'9" and cant shoot. No way. I expect mid to late second because every year a dozen or so come from around the globe and screw up projected late first round projections.. Llke Luigi or others at 7'3" and more skilled and 6 or 7 inches taller!

 

[NarrowJ]

Rez isnt a top.20 pick at 6'9" and cant shoot. No way. I expect mid to late second because every year a dozen or so come from around the globe and screw up projected late first round projections.. Llke Luigi or others at 7'3" and more skilled and 6 or 7 inches taller!

I mean he’s shooting nearly 40% from three and 80% from the ft line… lot of mocks now showing him in the teens after the season he’s had… CBS has him at #18 to OKC, Vecenie has him at #22 to LAL… no way he sticks around.

Suigo isn’t a comparable player, he is a stretch center, certainly not on the same planet as Morez athletically. Morez is an athletic 4 / small ball 5, high-motor rebounder and rim protector.

Nobody (reputable, at least) has Morez in the mid to late 2nd.

 

[HailtotheChief]

I mean he’s shooting nearly 40% from three and 80% from the ft line… lot of mocks now showing him in the teens after the season he’s had… CBS has him at #18 to OKC, Vecenie has him at #22 to LAL… no way he sticks around.

Suigo isn’t a comparable player, he is a stretch center, certainly not on the same planet as Morez athletically. Morez is an athletic 4 / small ball 5, high-motor rebounder and rim protector.

Nobody (reputable, at least) has Morez in the mid to late 2nd.

40% on 20 to 30 attempts? That really means poop, he is left wide open on purpose. Rez isnt a rim protector at the NBA level. He will get abused. Espn has him at 41 and thats too high. Every year late round guys drop like and many other undersized 6'9" guys like Rez or Toppin. A dozen international guys rise up. No way is he a top 20 pick. Rez would get abused by Luigi or his teamate Mara in the post. Jokic isnt the athlete Rez is either so i dont get your point. At 6'9" at best and about as big as he will ever be there is no way Rez will be a top 20 pick. Not happening at all, ever!

 

[IllinitripleJ]

Rez isnt a top.20 pick at 6'9" and cant shoot. No way. I expect mid to late second because every year a dozen or so come from around the globe and screw up projected late first round projections.. Llke Luigi or others at 7'3" and more skilled and 6 or 7 inches taller!

A team like San Antonio drafting late in the first round would take Morez in a split second if he was available. Could you see a lineup of Morez playing with Wemby and Castle?

 

[NarrowJ]

40% on 20 to 30 attempts? That really means poop, he is left wide open on purpose. Rez isnt a rim protector at the NBA level. He will get abused. Espn has him at 41 and thats too high. Every year late round guys drop like and many other undersized 6'9" guys like Rez or Toppin. A dozen international guys rise up. No way is he a top 20 pick. Rez would get abused by Luigi or his teamate Mara in the post. Jokic isnt the athlete Rez is either so i dont get your point. At 6'9" at best and about as big as he will ever be there is no way Rez will be a top 20 pick. Not happening at all, ever!

Doesn’t matter what we think, NBA teams / scouts see him in the top 20… not much you can say to change that, they don’t care much about our opinion lol

Edit: the ESPN mock you’re referring to hasn’t been updated in over 3 weeks… he’ll be top 20ish like he is everywhere else when they do update it

 

[HailtotheChief]

A team like San Antonio drafting late in the first round would take Morez in a split second if he was available. Could you see a lineup of Morez playing with Wemby and Castle?

I said not top 20. Lets wait and see. I dont see him playing meaningful minutes. The NBA poor dribbler, isnt posting in the NBA and cant shoot at even an average level. If he were 6'11 and had range and handles like AJ then maybe. He is in the same boat as Toppin at best prior to Toppins injury.

 

[HailtotheChief]

Doesn’t matter what we think, NBA teams / scouts see him in the top 20… not much you can say to change that, they don’t care much about our opinion lol

Edit: the ESPN mock you’re referring to hasn’t wsitbeen updated in over 3 weeks… he’ll be top 20ish like he is everywhere else when they do update it

Dude! Every year guys drop! What was Ayo or TSJ or numerous others. Espn has him at 41. How many euros that are not in college are in these mocks? Id bet you a G he isnt top 20. Not happenning much like Kofi or BP or damn near anyone that isnt taking 100 3's under 6'10" at the 3 spot. Hell, Yaxel isnt likely top.10 so how is Rez close to top 20 given his limited ball handling and shooting? Is he your buddy or something? Rez is a 6'9" at best 255lb post player with limited skill level and limited range. He is what he is. Thats not 6'10"Will Riley or AJ B from BYU. Never will be on that level.

 

[EmeraldCityIllini]

Kanon Catchings - Georgia Bulldogs Forward - ESPN

View the profile of Georgia Bulldogs Forward Kanon Catchings on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

www.espn.com

Would love if he ended back in the portal...

 

[Emerson Bigguns]

I said not top 20. Lets wait and see. I dont see him playing meaningful minutes. The NBA poor dribbler, isnt posting in the NBA and cant shoot at even an average level. If he were 6'11 and had range and handles like AJ then maybe. He is in the same boat as Toppin at best prior to Toppins injury.

He is literally leading the B1G in FG%.

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

I said not top 20. Let’s wait and see. I dont see him playing meaningful minutes. The NBA poor dribbler, isnt posting in the NBA and cant shoot at even an average level. If he were 6'11 and had range and handles like AJ then maybe. He is in the same boat as Toppin at best prior to Toppins injury.

Respectfully, it does not matter what you said. It’s like the guy in the draft thread who claimed Wagler shouldn’t be top 10.

The people being paid to be in NBA front offices will be making the call, and the mock drafts are a good indication of what they are thinking.

Latest CBS mock:



Latest mock from The Athletic:



Latest from B/R:



So, if you’d like to claim he isn’t top 20, probably that isn’t much of a hot take. But he is well established as a first round pick.

 

[EmeraldCityIllini]

Respectfully, it does not matter what you said. It’s like the guy in the draft thread who claimed Wagler shouldn’t be top 10.

The people being paid to be in NBA front offices will be making the call, and the mock drafts are a good indication of what they are thinking.

Latest CBS mock:

View attachment 47983

Latest mock from The Athletic:

View attachment 47984

Latest from B/R:

View attachment 47985

So, if you’d like to claim he isn’t top 20, probably that isn’t much of a hot take. But he is well established as a first round pick.

Is that CBS saying they think he’s the 35th best prospect but predicting him at 18?

I’m fascinated to see what Morez is or isn’t in the NBA.

 

[HailtotheChief]

Respectfully, it does not matter what you said. It’s like the guy in the draft thread who claimed Wagler shouldn’t be top 10.

The people being paid to be in NBA front offices will be making the call, and the mock drafts are a good indication of what they are thinking.

Latest CBS mock:

View attachment 47983

Latest mock from The Athletic:

View attachment 47984

Latest from B/R:

View attachment 47985

So, if you’d like to claim he isn’t top 20, probably that isn’t much of a hot take. But he is well established as a first round pick.

Well, so was KJ as lottery, Ayo first, and most others all fell due to unexpected guys often from overseas. About the only Illini i recall rising were Meyers, Will and Podz.

 

[HailtotheChief]

He is literally leading the B1G in FG%.

Shaq shot it at a high percentage inside too but you realize that isnt the same thing as being a good shooter. By your logic Shaq is a better shooter than Curry. Im sure you know thats not the same thing.

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

Is that CBS saying they think he’s the 35th best prospect but predicting him at 18?

I’m fascinated to see what Morez is or isn’t in the NBA.

Good catch. 18 might be a bit on the higher end, but he's still mostly projected first round.

As a sidenote: I honestly wouldn't understand if anyone is wishing against that? He's going to be phenomenal if he comes back next year (already is).

In this day and age, it's hard to antagonize any individual for pursuing the highest bidder. It's worked out for him, and we aren't left in some absolute dump either.

 

[RichardKeenesCousin]

Is it too early to talk about the portal and who we might be targeting for next year's roster? Who is coming back? Who is likely to leave?

 

[IllinoisFan733]

Good catch. 18 might be a bit on the higher end, but he's still mostly projected first round.

As a sidenote: I honestly wouldn't understand if anyone is wishing against that? He's going to be phenomenal if he comes back next year (already is).

In this day and age, it's hard to antagonize any individual for pursuing the highest bidder. It's worked out for him, and we aren't left in some absolute dump either.

If Ty was healthy, there would be a lot less discussion about this. They offer similar things with high energy, physical, and great defense.

Wish MJ had stayed, just hope he goes To the NBA and is not at Michigan. Take Mara and Lendenborg with you!

 

[Heisenbobble]

Is it too early to talk about the portal and who we might be targeting for next year's roster? Who is coming back? Who is likely to leave?

It's never too early in my book. We obviously lose these rotation players:
- Boswell
- Hummer
- Wagler

I think we'll also lose:
- Stoj
- Lee
- Petro

I think Morillo will be a regular rotation guy. Not sure on Brown, and I doubt Landon Davis plays much.

So we'll have the following:
- Tomi
- Z
- Mirk
- Jake
- Morillo

I would guess (and hope) the staff prioritizes some athleticism and shooting in the transfer portal, looking at maybe three new transfer pieces. I wonder if @Indy Illini Fan, @DB11Headband , @LvilleILL1, or @FI_8905 have any ideas on who we're targeting.

 

[Hessel Blvd]

Is it too early to talk about the portal and who we might be targeting for next year's roster? Who is coming back? Who is likely to leave?

Brad is definitely thinking about it. How many pressers in a row has he leaned into the "this is home" line? :]

 

[pruman91]

Is that CBS saying they think he’s the 35th best prospect but predicting him at 18?

I’m fascinated to see what Morez is or isn’t in the NBA.

not me...........I don't give a flying f^^k what he is or isn't in the NBA or any other league world wide..........

I REALLY REALLY DON'T.......................JMHO...............