Illinois Basketball Receives Crystal Ball For Recent Visitor

Illinois Basketball Receives Crystal Ball For Recent Visitor

Jase Butler is fresh off his visit to Champaign. Most recently, Butler announced that he will make his college decision on Wednesday October 4th. The combo guard from the west coast will pick from Illinois, UCSB, Stanford, and San Franciso. Illinois Basketball is the sole high-major option that has been on Jase Butler the longest. Additionally, setting a commitment date right after a visit usually bodes well. That seems to be the case as Butler has picked up a crystal ball from 247’s, Colby Giacubeno, to the University of Illinois.

Butler would be the first guard prospect in the class of 2024. Butler is a playmaking guard with outstanding feel. After all the drama about lacking a true point-guard, Jase Butler would fill that role nicely once he adapts to the college game.

📈2024 3⭐️ 6’4” Jase Butler will be in Champaign tomorrow
pic.twitter.com/DwpGeYwuJw

— Ryan Foran (@rforan23) September 22, 2023

The Player:

Butler is not the flashiest player, but he seems to make strong decisions in the Pick and Roll. Last year, Illinois learned that they do not have enough players who can do that well. With a rim running big like Morez Johnson coming in, Illinois needs to continue to add those kind of players. Butler would fill that role perfectly. He is not a great shooter, however has a tough body to him that can fit well in the Big Ten.

The question now arises. Does Illinois take Mikey Lewis and Jase Butler? I think the answer is yes. Illinois Basketball has learned the hardway that being selective can sometimes bite you in the rear end. Because of this, Illinois will gladly take whoever “pops first”. In addition, Butler is a different player than Mikey Lewis. Lewis is a guard, however is more wired to score and get buckets. Butler is a playmaker who seems to have a better proclivity to set his players up. Brad Underwood has always endorsed that he does not want similar pieces on the roster, however both guards bring a different element to the game.

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Other news:

Illinois basketball also hosted Jamarion Batemon, a top shooting guard in the class of 2025. Batemon appears to be an outstanding shooter in the class of 2025. Given that Illinois has struggled in the perimeter shooting department, Batemon would be a huge boost if they were able to land him.