The Illinois basketball team has yet to sign a class of 2018 recruit. Despite no one signing up, I think momentum says a recruit will pull the trigger soon.

Yesterday, the Illini received some good news when Talent Horton-Tucker cut his list down. He now only has seven teams vying for his services. Those seven programs are Ohio State, Georgetown, Iowa State, Georgia Tech, Saint Louis, Xavier and Illinois. It is exciting that the Illini are still alive for this talented wing player.

Horton-Tucker would be a nice addition to the Illini basketball team. He is a 6-foot-5, 210-pound small forward from Simeon High School in Chicago, Illinois. He is ranked as the No. 108 player in the class of 2018 and the No. 28 small forward in the nation.

Not too long ago Illinois’ recruitment of Horton-Tucker seemed to have slowed down. There were reports that Michigan State was the leader for his services but they ran out of scholarships so they had to be dropped off his list. That is when Illinois started to crank up the recruitment of Horton-Tucker and now they are in his top seven.

Illinois could really use Horton-Tucker on the team in 2018 and beyond. He is a really good player who could fill the No. 3 spot for the Illini. That is the only hole in the Illinois lineup right now. Getting Horton-Tucker would be huge for the program. Playing time is a pitch Illinois can use in the recruitment of Horton-Tucker.

Another pitch for Horton-Tucker could be the location as well. Illinois is the in-state program. Every other team is around the state or would be a further drive than Champaign. Having his family and friends come see him play is a nice luxury to have as a colligate player. Illinois also has a history with Simeon High School. He could come down to Illinois and be great and wear the No. 25 and honor Benjamin Wilson. He could be the next great Simeon player.

Illinois doesn’t have a single player signed up for 2018 but that could all be ending soon. Horton-Tucker would be a great addition and, hopefully, the Illini can snag him and continue building for the future.