Illinois Basketball In Connection With A Top-50 Scoring Guard

Illinois Basketball In Connection With A Top-50 Scoring Guard

The Illinois Basketball staff still holds a few scholarships available to polish off their 2024-25 roster. Thus far, transfer portal recruiting has once again been a highly effective tool for Brad Underwood to utilize. Adding high-level talents such as Evansville Stretch Forward Ben Humrichous, Arizona Point Guard Kylan Boswell, Notre Dame Forward Carey Booth, Mercer Shooting Guard Jake Davis, and Louisville guard Tre White.

However, as they come, they go. Illinois recently lost wing Luke Goode to the portal, hitting the trail east for Big Ten rival Indiana. Center Dain Dainja left Illinois for Penny Hardaway and the Memphis Tigers. Of course, after getting his playtime slashed heavily in 2024 due to a lack of system fit. In a turn of events, guard Sencire Harris and Center Amani Hansberry shockingly entered their names into the portal to follow former Illini assistant Chester Fraizer to West Virginia.

The question remains, after all of the give, and take, where does Illinois go with these available scholarships? After losing Amani and Dain to the portal, Illinois Basketball certainly is in the market for a big man. However, with Goode departing for the Hoosiers, and Harris exiting for Morgantown, Illinois will have to take a stab at snagging an elite shooting guard. It seems that Underwood is making a run at some highly productive names.

Chaz Lanier

On April 25th, North Florida guard Chaz Lanier officially entered his name into the transfer portal. Opening up a very impressive market for the Junior from Nashville Tennessee. Chaz held a 51% FG average for the Ospreys while tagging 4.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game in 2023-24. Not to mention, averaging 19.7 points per game for UNF. An absolute stud, who should be a top-tier option for coach Underwood. However, Brad will likely have to entice him away from his home state Tennessee Volunteers, or his hometown school, Vanderbilt. Check out his full list below.