NCAA Basketball: Top 10 takeaways from first week of 2022 offseason

Mar 26, 2022; San Francisco, CA, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Eric Musselman looks on during warmups before the game against the Duke Blue Devils in the finals of the West regional of the men's college basketball NCAA Tournament at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

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Ensworth’s Skyy Clark Nas Ensworth Jpii 021 /

5. Five-star combo guard Skyy Clark goes to Illinois

When Kentucky had a coaching staff change a year ago, it was rumored that former Kentucky commit and five-star prospect Skyy Clark would reopen his recruitment. Instead, he stayed with the Wildcats for another 10 months. However, Clark would officially become a free agent, likely due to the unknowns surrounding Kentucky’s backcourt for next season.

There were some potential options in play, such as Tennessee, USC, Louisville, Washington, Maryland, and Illinois. But only two options made real sense in the Volunteers and Fighting Illini. In the end, it was the Big Ten program that won out for Clark.

It’s a huge move for an Illinois squad that was losing all three of its ball-handlers on this season’s roster. Both Alfonso Plummer and Trent Frazier had no eligibility left, while Andre Curbelo opted to enter the transfer portal.

Had Illinois not gotten Clark, they were going to have to scramble in the portal for a point guard that could come in and play big minutes right away. Now they have instantly one of the best guards in the Big Ten and while he’s not the same player as Jaden Ivey of Purdue, could produce some similar stats if things work out in his freshman year.

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