NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing Andre Curbelo's final five

NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing Andre Curbelo’s final five

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 08: A view of the official game ball in the basket prior to the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four National Championship game between the Virginia Cavaliers and the Texas Tech Red Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 20: Coach Underwood of Illinois teaches. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois is a rising program. Even though the Fighting Illini have missed the Big Dance in each of the past six seasons, they are expected to take a major leap this year. Star guards Ayo Dosunmu and Trent Frazier look poised to be the leaders of this resurgence but they are going to be leaving (NBA Draft and graduation) in the near future. This will open up opportunities for new guards to arrive in Champaign and carry the program into the coming era.

Andre Curbelo is right at the top of Illinois’ target list for point guards this year. Head coach Brad Underwood issued him back a scholarship in July of last year and they have been heavily recruiting him ever since. Additionally, assistant coach Orlando Antigua has built a strong relationship with the young star that is definitely worthy of discussion.

With regards to the rest of their recruiting class, Illinois already holds a commitment from power forward Coleman Hawkins (No. 208). He is expected to be a major frontcourt piece for the program while Coach Underwood is also actively seeking out a commitment from local star Adam Miller (No. 31). Miller is a sensational shooting guard prospect and could form a dynamic backcourt duo with Curbelo if they both commit to the program.

That possibility is worth mentioning even if it is a bit unlikely. The Fighting Illini will need a couple of guards in this class and they are setting their sights high.

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