I still believe that 6'9", 245-pound, junior PF David Fuchs (San Francisco) would be a great fit (and probably affordable) as a transfer to Illinois. Fuchs, born in Vienna [Austria], averaged 12.7/7.8/1.4 last season [in 24.0 minutes/game], while shooting 51.7/30.3/64.5 for the Dons. I admit that I don't know what $$ Fuchs makes at San Fran, nor do I know what $$ it would take to get his transfer. I also don't know if he'd be willing to play 12-15 minutes/game for the Illini next season. [But I also don't know what a new Euro prospect might want from Illinois re dollars and p.t. in order to commit over the Summer.]
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
- Status
Is it Chef's kiss time yet?
Could make a ton of $$ coming back....
6'4" PG/CG Christian Bliss (Delaware) is apparently still available in the transfer portal. Bliss averaged 16.7/5.2/5.9 while shooting 42.4/39.2/84.8 this past season for the Blue Hens. I would imagine that Bliss would at least want the opportunity to compete for minutes, and possibly for a starting spot, with the Illini next season. Would that be problematic for Coleman and/or Vaaks?
Totally agree! Insane. Teams have signed guys (including freshman) and for the most part are close to complete regarding rosters! A lot of guys signing do so knowing what they should except… roles, minutes etc. Unfair to those players and unfair to teams that got things done fast. It should not pass for anyone graduating now!
Next year fine…. at least players and teams know the bigger picture!
Totally agree.. They should also enact an age restriction as college basketball doesn't need a 30+ year old who has played pro (Here or abroad) all their lives , but is no longer good enough for the pros but still good enough for college...That would suck..
What happens on this thread if Boswell gets the 5 in 5 and either he transfers because he wants more usage or Vaaks doesn’t sign for that reason?
I’m not aware of Vaaks signing yet, but could be wrong. Also not saying this would happen, but can you imagine the hot takes?
I’m not aware of Vaaks signing yet, but could be wrong. Also not saying this would happen, but can you imagine the hot takes?
Window to enter the portal has closed. Plus, I wouldn't think Kylan intends to play for any other school.
One other thing to note is that Illinois likely isn't void of $$. We were literally ready to throw $5mil at Blackwell a few days ago.
KB is nothing but beloved by the fanbase (aside from some of the god awful takes here earlier). Guy bleeds O&B. Has treated this program with nothing but dedication, hard work, and sacrifice.
I'm sure there's (multiple) donors out there who wouldn't blink writing that check.
KB is nothing but beloved by the fanbase (aside from some of the god awful takes here earlier). Guy bleeds O&B. Has treated this program with nothing but dedication, hard work, and sacrifice.
I'm sure there's (multiple) donors out there who wouldn't blink writing that check.
Well... the point really isn't about lowering anyone's minutes. Absolutely minutes will lowered if you think somebody's better. That's depth.
It's about how many playable guys do you have going into the season.
Jake Davis absolutely proved he was playable during the '25 season. Brown hasn't, and it's a huge gamble to be counting on a freshman not listed in the top 100 to play minutes for you.
Outside of Wagler - which is a once in forever - I don't see it as a good recipe.
Hopefully we can get Kylan back.
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Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
Boswell is an interesting case. He is still very young (21) for exhausting current eligibility. If there is a decent size bag to come back to Illinois, that might be very enticing to him. At this point, I doubt he would get drafted. A good season might jump his draft stock for next year's draft.
The question for him will be: is signing a free agent contract and playing in G league better than one final season with a nice dollar bag in college? I tend to think the upside of one more season in college might win out.
The impact on the upcoming football and basketball season would be absolutely insane.
Football you would have guys that don't get drafted or get cut from teams in the preseason trying to go back to college and likely lawsuits saying they signed a pro contract because they didn't know they could return to college.
It would just be a lot cleaner transition if they waited until the winter and then made an announcement before the fall transfer portals open that it will go into effect beginning the 2027-2028 season.
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
He would make a lot more to come back to college. Then go play overseas, you make a shocking amount more overseas vs playing g-league ball.
Not to specifically pick on you, but more this mindset……
Wagler was a “once in forever” in relation to being a 100+ recruit that ends up being an All-American and Top 10 draft pick.
However, college basketball is littered with guys outside the top 100 that play significant minutes, quite possibly more significant, than the minutes that Brown may or may not get.
We don’t need Brown to be Wagler. It would be great if he was Justin Harmon. Could we live with that?
The Ethan Brown excitement is a hangover following the Wagler experience, IMO. Would be shocked if he cracks the rotation.
There's just a huge dropoff from the 8th guy to the 9th guy, which is the downside of this roster. We're in serious trouble if any of the top 8 get injured.
There's just a huge dropoff from the 8th guy to the 9th guy, which is the downside of this roster. We're in serious trouble if any of the top 8 get injured.
I can’t put into words how insanely stupid and unfair it would be for the NCAA to pass this ruling and allowing it immediately considering they let the portal open and close already
Which means they will almost certainly do it
Which means they will almost certainly do it
Get a grip. All you negative Nellies on here need to go to the Kentucky board. All these Freshman are very talented that we have coming in.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
I thought grad transfers could transfer outside of the portal window? Which almost of them would fall into
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
I think this is very unlikely.
Justin Harmon was a good player. His end to the season was rough, but he had many great moments. Game log:
His January stretch was very good and give the team a much valuable scoring option.
Averaged 5.6 points on the season.
At best, Brown is a fringe rotation guy who manages to crack the rotation. He cannot be counted on for minutes anywhere close to a Justin Harmon -- who averaged 19mpg.
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