Good Morning, Illini Nation: Updating 2026 recruiting board (2024)

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Welcome to “Good Morning, Illini Nation,” your daily dose of college basketball news from Illini beat writer and AP Top 25 voter Scott Richey. He’ll offer up insights every morning on Brad Underwood’s team and college basketball at large:

Since we updated Illinois’ Class of 2025 recruiting board yesterday — players with an Illini offer — the Class of 2026 gets the spotlight today. It’s a group of prospective recruits that runs the gamut from a pair of in-state targets to top 25 national prospects. As always, Brad Underwood and Co. are casting a wide net both positionally and geographically:

• JJ Mandaquit, 6-1, 175, PG; Utah Prep (Utah)
• Tyrease Hunter, 6-2, 170, PG; Roselle Catholic (N.J.)
• Kobe Edwards, 6-0, 160, PG; Greenfield School (N.C.)
• Dezhon Hall, 6-3, 175, PG; Pike (Ind.)
• Jayden Moore, 5-10, 170, PG; Hopkins (Minn.)
• Rassell Young, 6-2, 160, PG; Mallard Creek (N.C.)
• Marcus Johnson, 6-1, 175, PG; Garfield Heights (Ohio) — Ohio State
• Deron Rippey Jr., 6-0, 170, PG; Blair Academy (N.J.)
• Donovan Williams, 6-3, 175, PG; Oak Hill Academy (Va.)
• Neiko Monday, 6-1, 165, PG; Our Lady Good Counsel (Md.)
• Jonathan Sanders, 6-2, 170, PG; Saline (Mich.)
• Taylen Kinney, 6-0, 160, PG; Newport (Ky.)
• Kobe Edwards, 6-0, 150, PG; Greenfield School (N.C.)
• Lincoln Williams, 6-5, 180, SG; Kankakee
• Chidi Nwigwe, 6-7, 195, SG; St. Benedict’s (N.J.)
• JJ Andrews, 6-6, 215, SG; Little Rock Christian Academy (Ark.)
• Qayden Samuels, 6-5, 175, SG; Bishop McNamara (Md.)
• Adam Oumiddoch, 6-5, 180, SG; Overtime Elite
• Gabe Sularski, 6-5, 180, SG; Lemont
• Prince-Alexander Moody, 6-4, 180, SG; Bishop McNamara (Md.)
• Felipe Quinones, 6-4, 180, SG; IMG Academy (Fla.)
• Josh Powell, 6-5, 190, SG; Archbishop Molloy (N.Y.)
• Brandon Bass Jr., 6-3, 170, CG; Windermere Prep (Fla.)
• Parker Robinson, 6-4, 180, CG; Our Lady Good Counsel (Md.)
• Yohance Connor, 6-2, 170, CG; 1 of 1 Academy (N.C.)
• Donovan Williams, 6-3, 180, CG; Edgewater (Fla.)
• Katrelle Harmon, 6-4, 180, CG; BFL Prep Academy (Wash.)
• Anthony Thompson, 6-7, 185, SF; Lebanon (Ohio)
• Alex Constanza, 6-8, 207, SF; Westminster Academy (Fla.)
• Cole Cloer, 6-6, 180, SF; Caldwell Academy (N.C.)
• TJ Crumble, 6-7, 180, SF; Richmond Heights (Ohio)
• Brannon Martinsen, 6-7, 190, SF; Mater Dei (Calif.)
• Gabe Weis, 6-6, 170, SF; Montverde Academy (Fla.)
• Christopher Washington Jr., 6-7, 175, SF; The Villages (Fla.)
• Bryce Dixon, 6-5, 175, SF; The Colony (Texas)
• Stephen Brown, 6-7, 160, SF; Marist
• Rivers Knight, 6-8, 205, PF; Combine Academy (N.C.)
• Andrew Jensen, 6-9, 205, PF; Kaukauna (Wis.)
• Miikka Muurinen, 6-10, 185, PF; Sunrise Christian (Kan.)
• Chase Foster, 6-8, 200, PF; Edmondson-Westside (Md.)
• Toni Bryant, 6-9, 180, PF; North Tampa Christian Academy (Fla.)
• Sinan Huan, 7-0, 225, C; Windermere Prep (Fla.)
• Marcis Ponder, 6-11, 328, C; Overtime Elite