Illinois welcomed three-star recruit Quinton Kitt to campus on Aug. 28 for an unofficial visit. Kitt is a standout player from East Peoria High School and is one of the top young prospects in the state. Rivals currently ranks him as a three-star prospect and the No. 3 overall player in Illinois for the 2027 class.
Kitt came away impressed with his time in Champaign, noting that the Illinois coaching staff made him feel welcome throughout his visit. “The coaches were really inviting, and I had a really good
time with them,” Kitt told The Champaign Room. “We watched film and they like what I do as a player. It felt good to hear that.”
The Illini staff have made it clear they like Kitt’s game. He explained that he speaks most frequently with assistant coach Geoff Alexander, but he emphasized that he has developed strong relationships with the entire coaching staff. During the visit, they broke down his skill set in detail, showing him how his game would translate at the college level and how he could fit into Illinois’ system.
“Overall, the staff sees me as an action guy,” Kitt said. “Someone that can make plays for others while also being able to make plays for myself. I see myself doing well in that.”
Standing at 6-foot-7, Kitt is a forward with the size, athleticism, and all-around ability that head coach Brad Underwood prioritizes in his program. He has proven himself as a reliable scorer and rebounder.
This past season, Kitt played AAU basketball with Meanstreets 16U, where he averaged 14.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, playing alongside future high-major guards Davion Thompson and Jaxson Davis. At East Peoria, he took on an even larger role, averaging an impressive 23 points and 8 rebounds per game last year.
Recruiting interest around Kitt continues to heat up. While Illinois and Northwestern have already extended offers, he remains in contact with several other high-major programs including Ohio State, Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan, Michigan State, UCLA, Purdue, Indiana, Butler, and West Virginia. He is scheduled to visit Butler on Sept. 3, Ohio State on Sept. 17, and Iowa at the end of the month.
“I want a school that can develop me and get me to the next level,” Kitt said. “I want to help a program win games, play in March Madness and ultimately get to the next level.”
For now, Kitt plans to take his time with the recruiting process, continuing to visit schools and explore his opportunities. A decision will likely come around this time next year.
