Illinois Basketball: Analyzing Fighting Illini 2021 incoming recruiting class

2. Ramses “RJ” Melendez

RJ Melendez is a four-star prospect that joins the Fighting Illini out of the state of Florida as the No. 93 rated prospect in the 2021 recruiting class. He’s a native of Puerto Rico with good instincts on both ends of the floor.

He attended Central Pointe Christian where he made his mark as a mobile forward at 6-foot-7 that moves well in transition and can knock down shots on the perimeter. He’s a catch-and-shoot threat with the budding potential to develop into a playmaker down the road.

He gets downhill and finishes at the rim when given lanes and has shown potential to finish tough in traffic. He’s another freshman that can make an early impact with his skills.

1. Alfonso Plummer

Alfonso Plummer joins Illinois basketball after two seasons with Utah basketball. He made 51 appearances (18 starts) from 2019-21, producing 11.0 ppg and 1.6 rpg while shooting 39.9 percent from behind the arc.

He fared well in the starting lineup for the Utes in 2020-21, averaging a career-high 13.6 ppg and 2.2 rpg while shooting 38.3 percent from 3-point range. He knocked down 2.6 3-pointers, a career-high, in his second year in college.

In Year 3 of his career, he’ll look to add more value to Illinois basketball as a sharpshooter off the bench. With a slew of guards, it could be tough to find room for him in the early going.