The Illini have officially found themselves in the running for two great players for 2016 and beyond.
The first player is Merrill Holden, a graduate transfer from Louisiana Tech who will be eligible immediately.
Holden is a 6-foot-8 big man who can bring more depth to the paint for the Illini.
Coming out of Pratt Community College, Holden was a wanted player. He had 14 scholarship offers including Washington State, Nevada, and Louisiana Tech.
Holden is now finishing his career up with a different program since graduating from Louisiana Tech. He has narrowed his search down to 6 schools to choose from.