Illinois Basketball: Class of 2024 Visits Campus.

Illinois Basketball: Class of 2024 Visits Campus.

Illinois Basketball is currently vying to add to their talented class of 2024. As it stands now, Morez Johnson Jr and Jason Jakstys are the two commits in the class. Johnson Jr is establishing himself as one of the best big men in the country. Jakstys continues to show flashes of his long term potential. Both have continued to rise in the 247 rankings and look to be promising big men alongside Amani Hansberry. However, Illinois Basketball is working hard to add some perimeter play to these talented big men. Last week, Mikey Lewis made his official visit to Champaign. Lewis is one of the best scoring wings in the class and would be a huge addition given the amount of perimeter play Illinois loses this next season.

Jase Butler made his way to campus this weekend. Butler is not as highly ranked as Mikey Lewis, however Illinois is pushing hard for the talented, play-making lefty. In addition to Lewis, Jason Jakstys made his way for a visit.

Thank you to Coach Underwood and the rest of the Illinois Coaching staff for an amazing Official visit! pic.twitter.com/JfBcsxojsR

— Jason Jakstys (@JakstysJason) September 24, 2023

Jason Jakstys

Jakstys is currently sitting outside of the top 100 in the 247 rankings. He absolutely exploded onto the scene this summer after displaying his perimeter versatility and length. Though Illinois fans may be weary of taking the in-state, lanky kid, Jakstys shows promise that previous projects did not show. The 6′ 11″ prospect has far quicker feet than Brandon Lieb. He is not as raw and clumsy as Jermaine Hamlin was, and he does not seem to be so new to the game like Matic Vesel. Though time will only tell, Jakstys has drawn comparisons to the development of Coleman Hawkins.

Hawkins came in to Illinois as a slender, skilled prospect. He barely played his first year at Illinois and I assume Jakstys will take multiple years to be “ready”. If he pans out, he has a skillset that mirrors the now NBA prospect in Coleman Hawkins.

Morez Johnson Jr

Morez made his way to campus for the umpteenth time. Johnson was in the ear of Mikey Lewis as they hope to sway the talented prospect from other high major programs. Johnson has been committed to Illinois for almost two years and has never seemed to waver. Illinois locked down the best prospect in the state, and it continues to pay off for them. Johnson is now ranked 34 in the 247sports rankings and is primed for a massive senior season.