2024 Illinois Basketball Target Commits to Notre Dame

A target for the 2024 Illinois Basketball Class has committed to Notre Dame.

Micah Shrewsberry continues to be a thorn in Brad Underwood’s side. After beating the Illini three times this past season, Shrewsberry left the Penn State job for Notre Dame. Shrewsberry has proven himself to be a top of the line coach in his two years as a head man. Many were thrilled that he would be leaving the Big Ten given how well he has performed these past two years. However Shrewsberry just had to beat Underwood for something one more time.

Cole Certa is a Bloomington native who was starting to assert himself as a high-major prospect. Certa chose to commit to Shrewsberry and the Fighting Irish.

A need for shooting.

Prep recruiting losses do not hurt as much given how available players are in the transfer portal. Given that many prep prospects are susceptible to the transfer portal anyways leads many to not even focus on high school recruiting. However, any time that a talented in-state prospect that could fill a huge need goes to another school, the loss will sting. Certa could have played a valuable role for Illinois Basketball. He could have had the chance to play his freshman year behind Luke Goode, a player who is very comparable to Certa.

Illinois has struggled to find consistent shooting on their team. Outside of Alfonso Plummer, shooting has always been a major need for Illinois. Cole Certa would have been a fit.

Who to target next?

Illinois currently has one player in their class of 2024. Morez Johnson Jr is a valuable front court piece, however Illinois will have work to do. After this year, they will have to replace their three transfer portal gets. Additionally, they would have to replace Coleman Hawkins and Terrence Shannon Jr if they choose to return. We always talk about “staying old”, and landing prep prospects is the foundation to that.

Though the new-age of college basketball is tough to invest in. The days of watching a player develop as a freshman into a senior seem to be moving on. Players like Malcolm Hill, Trent Frazier and Da’Monte Williams grew dear to Illini nation because of how long they were solid players for the program. Cole Certa is certainly a four year college player. However, the Transfer portal diminishes recruiting losses like this one. I have no doubt that Illinois Basketball will find an adequate shooter to fill their needs. In the meantime, all eyes will point towards Coleman Hawkins and Terrence Shannon Jr as they make their decisions.