Illinois Basketball Swaps Star Big Man For Sharpshooting Forward, Interested In Mountain West Transfer?

Hawkins turned in his best season last season. The 6-10 forward averaged 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds (1.4 offensive), and 2.7 assists in 33.1 minutes over 35 appearances. He also recorded 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks while shooting .451/.369/.792.

While Hawkins could remain in the draft or head elsewhere, returning would be a massive boost for Illinois. Due to their graduation, the Illini won’t have three of their top four scorers. The Illini also lost Sencire Harris, Amani Hansberry, Dain Dainja, and Luke Goode to other schools via the transfer portal. More recently, Niccola Moretti entered the transfer portal.

If Hawkins returns to college for a final season, he will be one of the most versatile bigs. Hawkins can score off the bounce, in the post, and knock down triples. He can also guard multiple positions due to his athleticism and length.

Illinois has 10 players on their roster for 2024-25. Hawkins would be the Illini’s 11th player, and Marcus Domansk, who has submitted NCAA paperwork for a sixth year, would be the 12th, though his return is unlikely.

Five of Illinois 10 players are transfers: Humrichous, Kylan Boswell, Tre White, Carey Booth, and Jake Davis. Six-foot-six guard Ty Rodgers is the top committed returnee, while Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn and AJ Redd are also back. Underwood has signed a pair of power forwards, four-star Morez Johnson and three-star Jason Jakstys.

Who Is Ben Humrichous?

Humrichous was rated as a four-star transfer by 247Sports. The 6-9, 220-pound forward averaged 14.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists for Evansville last season, his first in Division I. He shot 48.4% from the field and 41.4% from three on 5.3 three-point attempts per game.

Humrichous scored in double-figures in 19 of 24 games, including four games of 20-plus games. Before landing at Evansville, Humrichous played three seasons at NAIA Huntington University. He has one year of eligibility left.

Here is a scouting report from Werner:

A former NAIA star at Huntington, Humrichous translated well to the Missouri Valley Conference as a big-bodied playmaker with some athleticism. Humrichous has a great 3-point stroke and hit 41.4% from beyond the arc on a high volume of attempts (5.3). He’s an elite shooter in spot-up opportunities, but he also can counter that as an effective attacker off the dribble. He can operate off ball screens and finish at the rim or pull up from beyond the arc if defenders go under screens on him. He’s not a high assist rate guy, but he’s a good passer – especially on entries – who had a really low turnover rate. For his size, he makes an average impact on the glass. But Humrichous’ offense easily translates to the highest level as a likely double-digit scorer and stretch forward who can shoot around 40% from three.

Humrichous gives Illinois a big-bodied playmaker and shooter. He is more proven than Notre Dame transfer forward Carey Booth, and Humrichous is a good fit next to rim-running freshman post Morez Johnson and whichever rim-protecting big man Illinois looks to add via the transfer portal. Humrichous is a good athlete and has size, so he has the chance to be a serviceable defender. But he is a questionable one-on-one defender and rebounder in the Big Ten.

Illinois Interested In JT Toppin?

Even with Humrichous on board, Illinois still has four scholarships available, as Redd is a walk-on player. Humrichous also gives the Illini four big men, so Underwood will likely want to add more size. Underwood also is reportedly focusing on offensively inclined recruits.

According to Alex Kyi of Armchair Illinois, Illinois should pursue New Mexico’s JT Toppin. Toppin entered the transfer yesterday after a strong freshman campaign, averaging 12.4 points, 9.1 rebounds (3.4 offensive), 1.1 steals, and 1.9 blocks. He compiled a shooting slash line of .623/.344/.565/

Toppin also produced 11 double-doubles last season. Toppin scored in double-figures 23 times, topping the 20-point mark on three occasions, and grabbed double-digit boards 15 times. He comes in at No. 49 on CBS Sports Top-80 transfers.

“Toppin is a beast on the glass and has outstanding defensive versatility,” Kyi said. “Additionally, he fits the mold of positional length and multiple years of eligibility that Brad Underwood prizes.”

“As it stands now, Illinois needs to add a rim protector, perimeter wing, and backup point guard to its fold. JT Toppin could act as a rim protector that would elevate the frontcourt room of Illinois.”