The Illinois Fighting Illini and head coach Brad Underwood will be losing last season's star player Ayo Dosunmu as he is "100% locked in" for the 2020 NBA Draft. Dosunmu has until June 3rd to withdraw his name from the NBA draft, but it appears Dosunmu's days in an Illini uniform have come to an end.
Like Dosunmu, Freshman big man Kofi Cockburn also declared for the 2020 NBA Draft earlier this month. However, Cockburn has been dropping subtle hints on social media which point toward an Illinois return. Shortly after declaring for the 2020 draft, Cockburn removed the "UIUC 2023," from his bio, but has recently re-added it. Cockburn has also posted a couple of photos of him in Illini gear since declaring. Let's also not forget Cockburn will not get the opportunity to showcase in front of NBA scouts and coaches, due to COVID-19.
Despite losing their star player in Dosunmu, Illinois will still be a dangerous team come November. If Cockburn returns for another season, the Illini could be more than just a "dangerous" team.
Brad Underwood and staff did some phenomenal work behind the scenes in terms of recruiting this past season. Illinois has two incoming four-star guards Adam Miller and Andre Curbelo. Miller, who signed his NLI on Wednesday, is the 33rd ranked prospect in the class of 2020 and was recently named Mr. Basketball for the state of Illinois. Curbelo is currently the 55th ranked prospect and the 7th ranked Point Guard in the class of 2020. Both players will make an immediate impact in the Illini backcourt.
Underwood was also able to land three-star 6'10 stretch forward Coleman Hawkins, who should also make an immediate impact. Hawkins is a very athletic and versatile big man who can shoot the ball very well.
Underwood will also be gaining two more sharp-shooters in transfers Jacob Grandison and Austin Hutcherson, who had to sit out this past season due to being ineligible, per NCAA transfer policy. These two will add scoring and much needed depth to a squad who has just lost five of their top seven scorers.
Lastly, the Illini have some key returners who will continue to make major impacts. Senior guards Trent Frazier and DaMonte Williams have been exceptional defenders, who will only continue to get better as they prepare for their Senior season. Junior big man Giorgi Bezhanishvili will also be returning for his third season as a Fighting Illini. Like Hawkins, Bezhanishvili is an athletic big man who can shoot the ball well.
Whether or not the 2020-2021 college basketball season is able to start on time, the Illinois Fighting Illini will be a dangerous team. Maybe more than just that.