Illinois Basketball: Preview of Illini depth chart for 2020-21 season

No. 4 Guard

Starter – Da’Monte Williams (Sr.): 20 minutes

While some may slot Giorgi Bezhanishvili at this spot, I believe that Williams will retain the starting role that he claimed midway through the season last year. Arguably the best defender on the team, Williams gives Brad Underwood and the Illini a tough-nosed guard they can count on to get a stop on the defensive end when it matters most. Having a player like this in your starting lineup can set the tone for the game early and Williams does just that.

While he may not receive as many minutes as other guards, his defensive role on the team is equally important to the success of his teammates around him. While I don’t expect Williams to become a double-figure scorer, he showed the ability to knock down open three’s in the second half of the season last year. This, paired with his defensive prowess, solidifies his spot as the 4th starter for Illinois this year.

Backup – Coleman Hawkins (Fr.): 10 minutes / Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk (R-Fr.): 10 minutes

Both Hawkins and Bosmans-Verdonk should be expected to get minutes spelling Williams. Hawkins, a freshman from California, is a 6’10 forward who can shoot from outside and is a nifty passer for his size. The downside though is that his frame may not stand up to those of Big Ten players in some cases and therefore until he gains strength, he may not see serious minutes.

Bosmans-Verdonk is the wildcard on this Illini roster this season. After missing most of this past season with a foot injury, Verdonk could be a breakout player this season. His strong frame and tough nature is comparable to that of Da’Monte Williams and could provide the Illini with another tough defender to go alongside Williams when a defensive stand is needed. The sample size is not big enough for now to make a strong statement regarding his role in the offense this year, but it is possible that one of these two could end up making an unforeseen impact this year.