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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:
Geoff Alexander spent a significant part of his summer in Europe. A month total between June and July.
Part of that extended stint of overseas recruiting included a stop in Lausanne, Switzerland, for the FIBA U19 World Cup. Illinois has committed to recruiting internationally and sending Alexander to Switzerland allowed him to get eyes on players like Chinese center Sinan Huan and Dominican guard Lucas Morillo.
China might have finished 13th as a team, but Huan showed again why he’s got several power conference programs in pursuit. The 7-foot-1 center averaged 11.3 points and 4.6 rebounds and left Switzerland as the most prolific shot blocker in the tournament with 35 blocked shots across seven games. The next closest was 7-4 Purdue center Daniel Jacobsen, who blocked 13 shots for the title-winning Americans.
“We had a phone call during the World Cup in Switzerland,” Huan said about his interaction with the Illinois staff during the summer.
A phone call was all it could be between Huan and the Illini during the World Cup given the recruiting calendar was in an evaluation period. Coaches can go watch prospective recruits play but can’t have any in-person contact.
That happened earlier this month during Huan’s official visit. The Georgetown Prep (Md.) product was on campus Sept. 12-13 and left impressed by what he saw from the Illini.
“They have a Euro style,” Huan said. “That’s really impressive. … The practice environment was great.”
Huan will wind up with a full high school basketball career in the United States before he lands on a college campus for the 2026-27 season. He played two seasons at Windermere Prep (Fla.) before transferring to Georgetown Prep for his junior year, which put him closer to his twin brother, Sifeng, who played at Bishop O’Connell (Md.).
Huan also played for Team Durant during the regular season of Nike’s EYBL circuit. In 11 games playing alongside the likes of Babatunde Oladotun (2026 five-star forward) and Anthony Brown (2026 four-star guard), Huan put up 9.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game in 11 games.
“Trying to improve step by step playing against better basketball players,” Huan said. “It’s trying to prove to coaches and show good you are. … Find your weak points during the basketball game and try to improve it at the next practice.”
Huan obviously is unique given his shot blocking ability. Footwork is important. So is reading the opposing player.
“That’s pretty important about blocking shots, but I feel like it’s kind of a talent, too,” Huan said. “To be honest, it’s kind of a talent. … I’m definitely trying to work toward being a rim protector, but at the same time I’m trying to improve on the offensive side, too. I’m trying to get better with shooting, ball handling, driving and attacking.”
Huan’s visit to Illinois was his second. He also took an official visit to Purdue in early September — no surprise given his status as a 7-footer — and he said he plans on taking three more before making a decision. Where those final three visits take place is still to be determined.
“I’m trying to learn how college basketball works,” Huan said. “Those things are brand new to me. Pretty excited for it.”