CHAMPAIGN — Former Illinois coach John Groce tried to tap into a growing recruiting hub in Minnesota in the 2017 class with offers for a trio of Minneapolis area prospects. Jericho Sims (Texas), Theo John (Marquette) and McKinley Wright IV (Colorado) all went elsewhere.
Current Illini coach Brad Underwood is trying to make a similar recruiting move in the northern-most part of Big Ten territory. Illinois tripled down in that regard Monday night with offers to Minnehaha Academy teammates Jalen Suggs, Chet Holmgren and Prince Aligbe. Holmgren and Aligbe both announced their offers on Twitter. Suggs’ offer was reported by NorthstarHoops’ Ryan James.