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The replenishment of talent at the University of Illinois continues under Brad Underwood. The latest addition, four-star wing Tevian Jones.
A 6-foot-6 high-flying small forward from Culver City (Calif.) High, Jones announced his commitment to the Illini on Tuesday. Ranked No. 85 nationally, what does Jones bring to the table and where does the five-man Illini class now sit in the Big Ten and nationally?
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What does Jones bring to the table?
One of the top athletes in the senior class, Jones has been no stranger to the Rivals150 having spent most of the last two years as a ranked player. However, he's really turned things up during his last year of high school.
Yes, Jones is still an extreme athlete who is at his best slashing to the rim and finishing in the open floor. But, what has allowed him to develop into a four-star prospect has been much improved jump shooting – which has included becoming a legitimate threat from beyond the three-point line – to go along with strengthened ball-handling ability.
Jones is quick with long arms, which should allow him to develop into an upper echelon Big Ten defender with some work. He needs to add strength to his lean frame and continue to hone his perimeter game, but Jones should be able to provide some help as soon as he lands on campus.
Breaking down the Illini class
After much hand-wringing and some misses, Underwood and the Illini now have a five-man class that ranks No. 20 overall nationally and is fourth-highest in the Big Ten trailing only Michigan State (7), Michigan (10) and Maryland (14).
Headlining the class is five-star combo guard Ayo Dosunmu. He's the guy we've dubbed the professional layup maker for his uncanny ability to finish around the rim and he's got the size and game to play all over the Illini backcourt.
After Dosunmu and Jones, Illinois has landed a trio of role players in wing Alan Griffin and bigs Samba Kane and Giorgi Bezhanishvili.
The son of former NBA player Adrian Griffin – who played and coached with the Chicago Bulls – Griffin isn't an overwhelming athlete but he can shoot from deep, is a crafty passer and has taken a big step forward as a senior. Bezhanishvili is a big and strong post player with good skill and great feel around the basket. He'll have to adjust to Big Ten athleticism but is also an above average passer for a big man. Finally in Kane the Illini have a raw and athletic big man. The hope is to polish his post skills some and make him into a rim protecting enforcer on the interior.
Illinois isn't yet done recruiting the class of 2018 and still has one big fish that it is hoping to land in top 50 point guard Courtney Ramey.
