I sincerely hope Egor Demin becomes an Illini within the next couple of weeks. Really, really, looking forward to a 2024-2025 Illini basketball team with Egor Demin at it's core. Demin is rated 3rd among PG's in 2025 NBA draft, 22nd overall (
https://nbadraftroom.com/egor-demin/) and would be quite a get for Illini. Paired with Tomislav Ivisic (rated 2nd round pick of 28 in 2025 draft
https://nbadraftroom.com/tomislav-ivisic/#more-21986), Carey Booth (rated 61 in 2025), Kylan Boswell (rated 74 in 2025 draft), Tre White (rated 134 in 2025 draft), Morez Johnson (rated 41 in 2026 draft with chance to move up to mid first to second round pick in the
2026 NBA Draft or
2027 NBA Draft). Nice role pieces in Rodgers, Humrichous, Gibbs-Lawhorn and Davis. Jakstys probably a redshirt barring injuries. Another G/W pickup or return PG (Moretti?) and the squad is likely complete. Such a team would stack up well to past Illini teams making the Final Four, including 2005 and 1989 teams, and also includes a lot of possible draft picks among the ranks. Would be a very exciting team to watch. Hope Coach Underwood is able to pull off a Demin commitment and signing. If this roster finalizes, I see
starters as Demin, Ivisic, Boswell, White and Booth, with Rodgers, Johnson, DGL, Humrichous and Davis off the bench. Too early to estimate minutes and depends on matchups, but I expect approx. Demin 85/Davis?15, Ivisic 60/Johnson 40, White 60/Rodgers 40, Boswell 75/DGL 25, Booth 70/Humrichous 30. Of course Booth, Humrichous, Johnson could all interchange and even Rodgers and White at 4 in small lineups. This lineup has a lot of moveable, flexible pieces, with ability to guard multiple positions.
The starting 5 are all multi-level scorers - offensive weapons and can all of them can play capable defense too, unlike recent Illini teams. Most balanced Illini juggernaut in a long while . . IMHO