Basketball
Illinois basketball prioritizing top center Marcis Ponder
The Illini are in on yet another intriguing big man prospect.
Illinois basketball is one of the schools that is prioritizing four-star center Marcis Ponder. Per Jamie Shaw of On3, Ponder is also considering Florida State and Miami alongside Illinois. Marcis Ponder is an absolute giant of a human being, standing 6 feet 11 inches tall and over 300 lbs. Per 247sports, he is currently ranked as the 86th overall prospect in the class of 2026. He has a long list of offers, including some of the best schools in the country. Indiana, Auburn, Alabama, and Arizona State are all vying for the big man’s services. Ponder is a physical specimen who plays with a mean edge. With Tomislav Ivisic and Zvonimir Ivisic expected to go to the pro ranks within the next one to two years, Ponder would be a huge get for the Illini frontcourt.
He would serve as an anchor of the defense while also giving Illinois basketball a major force in the paint.
Illinois basketball has success with this kind of big
Whenever we hear about a physical specimen at the center position, we think of Illini legend Kofi Cockburn. Kofi Cockburn also played a similar physical, mean style of basketball prior to becoming an Illini. Associate head coach Orlando Antigua and the rest of the staff helped refine Cockburn’s footwork and touch around the rim. Ultimately, Kofi Cockburn became an All-American whose jersey currently sits in the rafters of the State Farm Center. Ponder plays with a mean edge that would bring immediate toughness and physicality to the State Farm center floor.
If Illinois basketball is to prioritize any big man in the class of 2026, Ponder is certainly a favorite of ours.
