Basketball
Illinois Basketball Lands in Top 10 for 2027 Five-Star Guard King Gibson
Illinois basketball continues to pursue high end talent particularly on the perimeter

Brad Underwood has made it pretty clear what he wants his guards to do. Get downhill. Make plays. And when the opportunity is there, run.
Illinois basketball has become increasingly aggressive in pursuing elite high school talent in the 2027 class, and the latest name to emerge is another guard who fits that philosophy.
According to 247Sports’ Dushawn London, combo guard King Gibson cut his list to 10 schools Thursday, with Illinois joining UConn, Michigan, Arkansas and Alabama, among others.
Gibson has already scheduled visits to five schools on his list, although Illinois isn’t currently among them.
Still, landing in the top 10 for the No. 10 overall prospect in the 2027 class, according to the 247Sports Composite, is another indication of where Underwood and his staff are aiming. And Gibson looks like a natural fit.
A Guard Built for Illinois basketball
The 6-foot-4, 185-pound Gibson has at least 37 Division I offers and played his AAU basketball with Team United on the Nike EYBL Circuit. He attends SPIRE Academy in Ohio.
His biggest strength is attacking the basket. Gibson has a crafty handle, enough twitch to create separation, and the ability to finish with either hand in unique situations. He can also stop short and get to a midrange pull-up, making him difficult for defenders to predict.
He’s not a high-volume three-point shooter, attempting just 2.2 per game on the EYBL circuit, but he connected on an impressive 39.4 percent of those attempts. He also averaged 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists against 2.5 turnovers. In other words, there’s more to Gibson than scoring.
Underwood has consistently emphasized playing faster, and that starts with guards who can make decisions in transition. Gibson’s downhill ability and transition prowess would fit nicely into that system.
He can initiate offense, push the ball himself or play off another creator. Once he gets moving downhill, his combination of size, handle and athleticism gives him multiple ways to attack a defense before it gets completely set. That’s exactly the type of guard Underwood wants.
Illinois doesn’t necessarily need every guard to be a traditional point guard. In today’s game, having multiple players capable of pushing the pace and creating advantages can be just as valuable. Gibson gives you that versatility.
He would probably benefit from playing alongside another high-level lead guard, but his scoring ability could allow him to make an immediate impact.
Underwood Is Making His 2027 Plan Clear
Gibson is another piece of a growing recruiting picture for Illinois basketball. The Illini have been connected to several highly ranked prospects recently, particularly five-star talent and guards. Gibson fits that mold perfectly.
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