BREAKING: Illinois Basketball Hiring Orlando Antigua
On April 10th, 2024, it was officially announced that the legendary former University of Kentucky coach John Calipari was heading to SEC rival Arkansas. There has been tension within the Wildcat fanbase with Calipari due to recent NCAA tournament flops. Fans within the bluegrass state have high demands for their college basketball, and he felt the time was right. The news of John’s exit created such a wild ripple in the world of college basketball. One of the nation’s top positions is open after years, and the future of the cats is in question. A prime opportunity for Illinois Basketball coach Brad Underwood to swoop in, and get the deal done with top Kentucky assistant Orlando Antigua. Who, formerly had an exciting career as an assistant for Underwood In Champaign.
The Past
Thoughts had been swirling in the rumor mill for days that Antigua was in the works to come back to Champaign. The former Kentucky assistant has been on Calipari’s staff since leaving Illinois in 2021. Orlando was a heavily involved assistant on Illinois pivotal 2021 Ayo and Kofi team. Of course, that season did not end the way that Illini nation wanted it to whatsoever. The Illini fell in the round of 32 to sister Jeans’ Loyola University of Chicago. Shortly after, assistant coaches Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman exited the Illini program for the blue-er’ grass. Then, Stephen Gentry decided to take an assistant job at Gonzaga. A tough series of events for Brad Underwood and Illinois basketball to face. Yet, it seems to have made the program stronger to have faced the adversity.
Reaction
Regardless, Antigua was a key recruiter and developmental coach on a team that changed the outlook of Illinois Basketball for the foreseeable future. Recruiting is the major focus here. Orlando was prime at getting Illinois into the International market. Which, paid off well for the Illini. Helping to bring in great players like Kofi Cockburn, Andres Feliz, Giorgi Bezhanishvili, and Andre Curbelo. All major players in the turnaround of Illinois Basketball as a program. Recruiting has been stellar under Brad Underwood. The transfer market has been very nice to Champaign, and the winning has reflected. However, Orlando may be a remedy to help keep and develop some of the high school talent Illinois has been losing to the portal, prior to true development taking place.
As a developer, Illinois saw major improvements in the front court under Antigua’s guidance. Giorgi and Kofi were as dominant as any front court duo in the nation, and remain the best in Illini history. Orlando can certainly be a big hitter in the transfer market, however, landing and developing big time prep players will be a mission for the former UK assistant.
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