Illinois added its third Class of 2017 basketball recruit _ all from in state _ and the highest-ranked prospect of coach John Groce's four-year tenure when five-star center Jeremiah Tilmon committed Monday.
The 6-foot-10 Tilmon, from East St. Louis, is the nation's No. 23 recruit, according to the 247Sports.com composite rankings. He attends La Lumiere School in La Porte, Ind., also the alma mater of Illini guard Jalen Coleman-Lands.
Tilmon announced his decision on Twitter, choosing the Illini over Kansas, North Carolina, Michigan State, Texas and Missouri.
"After a long recruiting process and much thought and I'm blessed to announce that I am staying home [hashtag]illini," he tweeted.
Tilmon's commitment is especially important to the program considering the Illini have been snubbed by other big-name in-state recruits such as Curie's Cliff Alexander, who chose Kansas in 2014.
According to ESPN.com, Tilmon missed the Nike EYBL regular season and Peach Jam showcase after dislocating a shoulder toward the end of his high school season.
Tilmon joins Peoria Manual point guard DaMonte Williams and Belleville East shooting guard Javon Pickett in the Illini's 2017 class.
