The Illini made a major recruiting splash on Friday with top-100 point guard Andre Curbelo committing to the program.

Curbelo is ranked as the No. 55 overall prospect in the 2020 class, according to the 247Composite. He is one of the top 10 point guards in 2020, and he is considered to be an elite facilitator.



Curbelo announced his commitment at Long Island Lutheran High School in New York. He was down to Illinois and Miami heading into decision time. Both programs hosted him for official visits last month.

The Illini emerged as the clear-cut favorites after Curbelo and his parents came to Champaign during the weekend of Oct. 18-20. Crystal Ball picks poured in shortly after that visit concluded. Curbelo was originally scheduled to visit Oregon the following weekend, but he cancelled those plans.

This is a huge win for Brad Underwood and the Illini staff. Underwood has now landed a top-100 prospect in four straight classes, which is the first time the program has accomplished that since Bill Self and Bruce Weber combined to do it in the 2000-03 classes.

Orlando Antigua was the point-man on this pursuit, and he adds to an impressive resume as a talent-getter. During his time at Illinois thus far, Antigua was also the lead recruiter for Andres Feliz, Alan Griffin and Kofi Cockburn. This is another feather in his cap.

Antigua recruited Curbelo longer than anyone. He’s very tied in with the family, as he and Curbelo’s father played pro ball together in Puerto Rico. That connection and the level of trust he established proved to be paramount.

The Illini also had opportunity to sell to Curbelo, as Feliz is about to play his last season in Champaign. Ayo Dosunmu is projected to be a first round pick in the NBA Draft next summer as well. Alongside Trent Frazier, Curbelo will have a chance to have the ball in his hands right away. And that is an exciting thought for Illini fans.

Curbelo is one of the best floor generals in the country. He’s an extremely gifted passer with superb vision, ball skills and feel for the game. He’s quick and he can score in a variety of ways off the bounce. Curbelo needs to improve his outside jumper and add more strength, but he’s going to be an impact guard as a freshman. Long term, he can be as good as anyone in the Big Ten.

Curbelo joins Prolific Prep (Napa, Calf.) stretch four Coleman Hawkins in Illinois’ current recruiting class. The three-star forward announced his commitment back in September, shortly after his official visit.



Both players can ink their letter of intent during the early signing period, which begins on Nov. 13.