CHAMPAIGN, Ill. _ Ayo Dosunmu's father was driving him to another basketball practice when he turned and asked in a serious tone: "What are your goals for the next three years? How do you see your basketball career taking shape?"
It was not unusual for Quam Dosunmu to delve into big-picture talks with his children, urging them to think beyond that day's practice or classroom lessons. There was a blueprint in the Dosunmu household, and on that day, Ayo began to seriously sketch his basketball path.
He answered his dad and saved those goals in his iCloud, his digital safe where he stores his loftiest dreams as reminders. At the top of the plan: Earn a scholarship from a high-major college program.
"Ever since that day, it was, 'Let's go harder,' " said Dosunmu, who played at Morgan Park High School on Chicago's South Side. " 'Let's push a little harder.' "
Since childhood, Dosunmu hasn't shrunk from high standards. So it figures he's not rattled by a role others have hoisted onto the freshman: Savior of Illinois Basketball.
Just two games into his college career, Dosunmu has taken over games and won over fans.
In-state recruits have toyed with Illinois fans' emotions for years. Heartbreak after heartbreak has come their way.
Chicago-area players such as Cliff Alexander and Jalen Brunson snubbed the Illini for out-of-state powerhouse programs. Highly touted signees such as Jereme Richmond dissolved into disasters in Champaign or jumped ship like Mark Smith, who transferred last spring after one season. Above-average players such as Brandon Paul played on below-average teams.
Not since Dee Brown _ another charismatic, supremely talented player from Chicago _ arrived in 2002 from Proviso East have Illinois fans felt so justifiably convinced about a player's potential. Dosunmu is wasting no time validating their beliefs.
It's not just that the athletic, 6-foot-5 guard _ the top-rated recruit in the state in the Class of 2018 _ chose the Illini. He says he is "destined" to lead them back to prominence.
"This is what I signed up for," Dosunmu said recentlyafter taking an extra 20 minutes of shots after practice. "I know a lot of people would not take the route I took. A lot of people wouldn't come play for their home state. Maybe some want to ride the boat or play certain minutes. I came to help coach (Brad) Underwood turn the program around."
While it has been only two games, Dosunmu seems less like a tease and more like a promise. The tests get harder as Illinois (1-1) opens play in the Maui Invitational on Monday against No. 3 Gonzaga.
He has averaged 21.5 points and shot 58.6 percent in a rout of Evansville and a close loss to Georgetown. He defends ferociously. His hands are as quick as a blackjack dealer's when making a steal. He sees teammates on the court as if he has been playing with them for two years, not two games.
He's a slasher to the rim but makes it look smooth.
"That's why I call him 'Silk,' " said Deon Thomas, the school's career scoring leader and analyst on Illini radio broadcasts.
"#11 looks good out there," Brown, now an assistant coach at UIC, tweeted during Tuesday's Georgetown game.
Hoyas coach Patrick Ewing, the former Knicks great, recruited Dosunmu. After Tuesday's game, he said: "You have to give a compliment where a compliment is due. He's a very good player, and he's going to continue to get better."
What impressed Underwood the most was that Dosunmu, 18, shouldered the blame for the loss when it was plainly clear he was the most outstanding player.
"He doesn't have anything to hang his head about," Underwood said. "The thing that excites me about Ayo is his growth. Look what he's doing already."
Dosunmu doesn't consider this "already."
"This is not something I just woke up and said I wanted to do," he said. "My dad, my whole life, prepared me for this."
