Good Morning, Illini Nation | Several targets in updated ESPN rankings

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Welcome to “Good Morning, Illini Nation,” your daily dose of college basketball news from Illini beat writer and AP Top 25 voter Scott Richey. He’ll offer up insights every morning on Brad Underwood’s team and college basketball at large:

The 2024-25 basketball season is quickly approaching. While we wait, there's always recruiting, and ESPN dropped its most recent update for the 2025, 2026 and 2027 classes on Thursday. Illinois continues to pursue top talent in the Brad Underwood era. Here's where those recruiting targets (or at least players with an offer) landed in the updated rankings:

CLASS OF 2025

1. A.J. Dybantsa, 6-9, 200, SF; Utah Prep (Utah)

3. Darryn Peterson, 6-6, 186, SG; Prolific Prep (Calf.)

4. Nate Ament, 6-9, 185, SF; Highland (Va.)

6. Koa Peat, 6-7, 235, PF; Perry (Ariz.)

7. Chris Cenac Jr, 6-10, 230, C; Link Academy (Mo.)

9. Meleek Thomas, 6-4, 180, PG; Overtime Elite

10. Jalan Haralson, 6-6, 205, SF; La Lumiere School (Ind.)

12. Mikel Brown Jr., 6-3, 175, PG; DME Academy (Fla.)

13. Jasper Johnson, 6-4, 175, PG; Link Academy (Mo.) — Kentucky

15. Sadiq White, 6-8, 200, PF; IMG Academy (Fla.) — Syracuse

16. Trey McKenney, 6-4, 230, SF; St. Mary’s Preparatory School (Mich.)

17. Cayden Boozer, 6-4, 208, PG; Columbus (Fla.)

23. Eric Reibe, 7-0, 215, C; Bullis School (Md.)

25. Niko Bundalo, 6-10, 210, PF; Prolific Prep (Calif.)

29. Shon Abaev, 6-7, 195, SF; Calvary Christian (Fla.)

31. Jerry Easter, 6-3, 195, PG; Link Academy (Mo.)

32. Jamier Jones, 6-6, 220, SF; Oak Ridge (Fla.) — Providence

35. Nikolas Khamenia, 6-8, 215, PF; Harvard Westlake (Calif.)

36. Kiyan Anthony, 6-5, 177, SG; Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.)

37. Malachi Moreno, 6-10, 225, C; Great Crossing (Ky.) — Kentucky

42. Xavion Staton, 6-10, 210, C; Sierra Vista (Nev.)

47. J.J. Mandaquit, 6-1, 195, PG; Utah Prep (Utah)

50. Dante Allen, 6-3, 215, SG; Riviera Prep (Fla.)

53. Cam Ward, 6-7, 205, SF; Largo (Md.)

54. Zymicah Wilkins, 6-8, 240, C; Christ School (N.C.)

57. Kaden Maywood, 6-2, 160, PG; Oak Hill Academy (Va.)

58. Tyler Jackson, 6-1, 165, PG; Overtime Elite

60. Jalen Reece, 5-11, 170, PG; Oak Ridge (Fla.)

63. Jamarion Batemon, 6-3, 175, SG; Milwaukee Academy of Sciences (Wis.) — Iowa State

69. B.J. Davis-Ray, 6-6, 190, SF; JSerra Catholic (Calif.)

73. Aleks Alston, 6-8, 205, PF; Kenwood

79. Kai Rogers, 6-9, 250, C; Wauwatosa West (Wis.)

83. Azavier Robinson, 6-1, 175, PG; Lawrence North (Ind.)

85. Chance Mallory, 5-9, 160, PG; St. Anne’s-Belfield School (Va.)

96. Chuck Love, 6-7, 195, SF; La Lumiere School (Ind.)

CLASS OF 2026

5. Miikka Muurinen, 6-9, 200, PF; Compass Prep (Ariz.)

11. Qayden Samuels, 6-5, 205, SF: Bishop McNamara (Md.)

15. JaShawn Andrews, 6-6, 220, SF; Little Rock Christian Academy (Ark.)

17. Alex Constanza, 6-7, 210, SF; Westminster Academy (Fla.)

18. Cole Cloer, 6-7, 195, SF; Caldwell Academy (N.C.)

20. Marcus Johnson, 6-2, 175, PG; Garfield Heights (Ohio) — Ohio State

21. Taylen Kinney, 6-2, 176, PG; Newport (Ky.)

24. Toni Bryant, 6-9, 205, PF; Tampa Bay Christian Academy (Fla.)

27. Chidi Nwigwe, 6-6, 200, SF; Sunrise Christian Academy (Kan.)

29. Adam Oumiddoch, 6-6, 177, SF; Overtime Elite

30. Deron Rippey Jr., 6-1, 176, PG; Blair Academy (N.J.)

43. Sam Funches, 6-10, 210, C; Germantown (Miss.)

46. Jon Sanderson, 6-2, 185, PG; Saline (Mich.)

48. Felipe Quinones-Garcia, 6-4, 180, IMG Academy (Fla.)

CLASS OF 2027

4. Jaylan Mitchell, 6-7, 220, PF; Reitz Memorial (Ind.)

11. Devin Cleveland, 6-1, 160, PG; Kenwood

22. Davion Thompson, 6-3, 175, SG; Bolingbrook