Projected Illini lineup with Terrence Shannon Jr

Ensworth’s Skyy Clark (55) advancements with Brentwood’s Macen Redner (24) through the second quarter at Brentwood Superior Faculty in Brentwood, Tenn., Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020.
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Illinois basketball was in a position to land one particular of the huge gamers in the transfer portal on Friday afternoon.

This offseason was rough for the Illini as we misplaced some essential players to the transfer portal. But, on Friday, every little thing changed as Terrence Shannon Jr. picked the Orange and Blue. This was a large transfer for Brad Underwood. Shannon brings so a lot experience to the table. He also adjustments the Illinois lineup dramatically.

In this article is the projected Illinois basketball lineup with Terrence Shannon Jr.

No. 1 Guard

Starter: Skyy Clark

The noticeable starter at the No. 1 guard place entering the upcoming time is Skyy Clark. As shortly as he dedicated to the Illini, he become our setting up level guard. Clark was a four-star recruit and was ranked as the No. 26 participant in the course of 2022. He was also the No. 5 issue guard in the country and the No. 7 participant coming out of Florida. I’m not positive why, but Clark utilized to be a 5-star but that has since modified.

Clark has everything you would want in a place guard. His handles are what stand out to me the most. He has wonderful manage in excess of the ball and can shift defenders with his dribbling. Clark’s shooting then usually takes him from a genuinely fantastic participant to a excellent participant. I am thrilled to see what he can do with the Illini.

Backup: Jayden Epps

Though Jayden Epps isn’t a accurate stage guard, I feel Illinois will require him as the principal backup to Clark moving into the 2022-23 campaign. Epps can shoot the ball with the finest of the most effective. He is a playmaker at coronary heart. With the way the roster is shaking out, Epps is going to be necessary when Clark has to experience the pine. It also would not shock me to see Clark and Epps on the floor at the very same time. This incoming recruiting class is special.

Backup: Scholarship

With this projected lineup, Illinois would have two accessible scholarships for subsequent season. I assume discovering a different position guard would be helpful to the team. This would absolutely free up Epps to engage in much more of the No. 2 guard purpose alternatively of handling the ball.