Illinois Basketball Extends Offer to 2026 Combo Guard from Missouri
Illinois has offered a scholarship to Ethan Brown, a 6-foot-4 combo guard from Missouri, who is currently unranked. In recent days, the Illini have been focusing on lesser-known prospects, which is a bit surprising for a program on the verge of becoming a powerhouse.
The offer to Brown is particularly surprising because Illinois has already shown interest in unranked rising juniors, like Marlon Martinez. The idea of targeting an unranked rising senior is even more unexpected, but that’s exactly what Illinois is doing with Brown, who is part of the Class of 2026.
Brown, who hails from Rolla, Missouri, plays high school basketball at Rolla High School and competes for Gateway on the New Balance P32 Circuit. Despite his impressive skill set, he remains unranked by major recruiting outlets like 247Sports, On3, and ESPN.
Known for his sharp shooting, Brown is a deadly three-point scorer with a quick release, always finding ways to get an open look. He also has a solid finishing touch around the basket, often using floaters to score in traffic. While he may not stand out for his vertical or lateral athleticism, he compensates with a strong ball-handling game and a deceptive change of pace.
Brown has received seven Division I offers so far, but Illinois is the only Power 4 program to show interest. He recently visited Iowa, though the Hawkeyes have not yet extended an offer.
Given Illinois’ ability to identify talent early, it’s likely that Brown will soon move up in national rankings and garner additional attention from high-major programs. With Illinois showing interest this early, they are likely to be strong contenders when he makes his final decision.
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