Illinois Basketball Freshman is a Rebounding Machine

Illinois Basketball Freshman is a Rebounding Machine

Amani Hansberry is one of the highest-ranked prospects to commit to Illinois Basketball in recent years. Per 247sports, Hansberry is the 12th highest-rated prospect to join Illinois Basketball. Despite this, Amani has some experienced players ahead of him on the depth chart. Coleman Hawkins and Dain Dainja are both elder statesmen who have been with the program for a couple of years. Additionally, Quincy Guerrier is a fifth-year senior who is trying to make the most of his final year of eligibility. Regardless, Amani Hansberry has found moments to shine and show Illinois fans how bright of a future he has. Through four games of action, the Baltimore native is currently averaging 5.3 reb0unds per game through 14.3 minutes of action. When averaged to 40 minutes, that equals 14.3 rebounds per game

A recent graphic by Ant Wright showed that Amani Hansberry currently leads all Big Ten Freshmen in rebounds per game. Though it is a small sample size, Hansberry has a chance to make this a yearly theme.

Early Big Ten Freshman Stat Leaders pic.twitter.com/khGnYGv5Yk

— ᗩᑎT ᗯᖇIGᕼT (@itsAntWright) November 22, 2023

Opportunity in the future

Coleman Hawkins is going to move on after this year. Dain Dainja will return as a fifth-year player, and Quincy Guerrier will have exhausted his eligibility. That leaves Amani Hansberry and Morez Johnson as the guys who must be ready to take on a sizeable role. Hansberry has shown a solid outside touch which will allow him to play alongside Dain Dainja. Additionally, Amani just shows a great knack for rebounding the basketball. If he can continue this, Brad Underwood will have no hesitation in playing the talented big man. Morez Johnson is also well known for his rebounding prowess.

Morez Johnson and Amani Hansberry would make for one lengthy, high-motor frontcourt that would give the rest of the conference fits. Since Brad Underwood has been here, he has recruited Big men very strongly. Morez Johnson and Amani Hansberry are just a continuation of that.

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