As expected, Fighting Illini basketball just lost out on one of their 2017 recruiting targets. During a ceremony on Tuesday night, four-star wing Terrence Lewis (WI) announced his verbal commitment to Steve Prohm and the Iowa State Cyclones. Lewis, the No. 100 overall player in the class, was also considering Illinois, Marquette, and UNLV.
ISU’s 2017 basketball recruiting class is now underway with the addition of Top-100 Wisconsin SF, Terrence Lewis https://t.co/T0Rc5YRBKz
— WRNL (@WideRtNattyLt) August 9, 2016
Lewis took an unofficial visit to Ames over the weekend, so this result seemed inevitable as soon as the decision date was finalized. It’s a bit unfortunate, too, because the 6-foot-6 forward would’ve been a welcome addition in Champaign had the Orange and Blue not been pursuing other players at the same position.
John Groce and the Illini are still in good shape because of those other options, though. The program is still a front-runner for top target Jordan Goodwin; the four-star do-it-all guard is also considering Alabama, Butler, Creighton, Missouri, Northwestern, and St. Louis. Another name to watch is four-star forward Justin Smith, but he actually won’t be taking an official visit to Champaign.
Headlined by five-star big man Jeremiah Tilmon (IL), Illinois’ three-man recruiting class currently ranks No. 6 nationally, and No. 2 in the Big Ten.
Terrence Lewis Highlights (NBPA Top 100 Camp)