NCAA Basketball: 2021 4-star G Brandin Podziemski announces top 5
By Ian Mumm
Illinois Fighting Illini
Experiencing the complete opposite this season, Illinois is playing top-level basketball this season thanks to a deep and talented roster. Head coach Brad Underwood has taken all challengers head-on and is driving his team towards Big Ten title contention. Led by backcourt star Ayo Dosunmu and monstrous center Kofi Cockburn, the Illini have a reliable tandem to utilize on a nightly basis and a talented supporting cast to play off of them.
With the expectations this offseason likely pointing towards both players taking another run at entering the NBA Draft, Coach Underwood will be looking for an immediate playmaker to enter the fray.
Freshman guards Andre Curbelo and Adam Miller will take the next step up in productivity and responsibility to drive the Illinois backcourt, but adding a player like Podziemski will help to balance out the skillsets of both players equally. As a bonafide sharpshooter, the 6’6” guard has the capability to keep driving lanes open for Curbelo and also the ability to crash the defense to space the perimeter for Miller.
Helping their argument to draw Podziemski’s commitment is Illinois’ proximity to the guard’s hometown. By far the closest program to his hometown, just outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Podziemski has the opportunity to play in front of familiar faces within the Big Ten conference. He has also been actively hearing from all members of the Illini’s 2021 recruiting class and building early relationships with his potential teammates.
The attractiveness of the Illinois program is their expected success for seasons to come, as well as possessing large opportunities for meaningful playing time.