CHAMPAIGN — Three-star big man Bernard Kouma has signed a financial aid tender with Illinois, the program announced on Thursday.

Kouma pledged his commitment to the Illini on April 8, which came a few weeks after head coach Brad Underwood and assistant Orlando Antigua visited him in New York.

"We are excited to officially welcome Bernard Kouma to the Fighting Illini family," Underwood said in a release on Thursday. "Bernard is a hard worker who has really improved during his years in the U.S. He is a skilled big who is a terrific rebounder, can use either hand around the basket, passes it well, and has become a physical presence as his body has developed. He will strengthen our frontcourt with his ability to impact the game at both ends of the court."

The 6-foot-10, 240-pound center is ranked No. 393 in the final 247Sports rankings. That isn’t too far off from where Giorgi Bezhanishvili (No. 319) finished in the 2018 ranks.

Crazy enough, Underwood stumbled upon both players in matchups against Roselle Catholic (N.J.) out on the East Coast. Back in December, Underwood and Antigua watched Kouma put up 29 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks against Roselle Catholic and Kahlil Whitney at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Bezhanishvili had 16 points and three assists against Roselle Catholic in February 2018 with both coaches in attendance. An offer came shortly after that. And this past season, Bezhanishvili probably had the most pleasantly surprising freshman year in Illini basketball history.

The Illini would be more than happy if lightning strikes twice. But realistically, they’re looking for Kouma to be a depth piece in the frontcourt. The starting four and five spots are solidified with Bezhanishvili and top-60 incoming freshman Kofi Cockburn. Sophomore center Samba Kane will be in the mix as well.

Kouma’s ability to rebound really stuck out to the Illinois staff, and that was a significant weakness for last year’s team. The Illini had one of the worst defensive rebounding percentages in the country in 2018-19, and their offensive rebounding rate took a significant step back from Underwood's first season.

"They like how I rebound the ball. They like my footwork and how I play," Kouma told Illini Inquirer in April. "They like my game and they think I can bring something to the table when I get down there."

His skill with both hands was also something that the Illini highlighted in their evaluation. Kouma is also willing to play physical, set screens, give extra effort and operate in a supporting role.

With Kouma officially added into the fold, the Illini currently have two open scholarships for the upcoming season.

Illinois forward Anthony Higgs entered the transfer portal last week and he confirmed his plans to leave the program. And that didn't come with much surprise given his medical status. Higgs had surgery on his foot shortly after arriving on campus last August, and he was never cleared for basketball activity after that.

Meanwhile, the Illini were hoping for good news with some other potential additions. But SFA grad transfer TJ Holyfield committed to Texas Tech earlier this month. Illinois also lost out on JUCO All-American wing Tomas Woldetensae (Virginia) and four-star forward Olivier Robinson-Nkamhoua (Tennessee).