Good Morning, Illini Nation: Lincoln Williams drawing rave reviews

The Illinois coaching staff knew everything it needed to about Lincoln Williams before the Kankakee star wound up a late addition to the Illini's 2026 recruiting class. Illinois offered Williams in Feb. 2024, and the 6-foot-5 guard made repeated trips to Champaign during his final two years of high school.

As much as Brad Underwood and the Illini coaches like Williams as a prospect, though, it took time to go from valued recruit to the sixth and final member of a top 10 recruiting class. Williams had some academic issues to clean up at Kankakee. Illinois couldn't bring him on board until that was sorted.

"He ran into some challenges in high school," Underwood said. "We had to wait and see and make sure that it was right. You guys know me by now. I'm not bringing anybody into the locker room or into our program that I think is going to be a distraction and/or present challenges."

Williams got back on track academically during a senior season he showed why he had high major interest on the basketball court. Williams led Kankakee to a 29-2 record and averaged 26 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks to earn N-G All-State First Team honors.

Illinois signed Williams in early June and got him on campus last month for the start of summer workouts. The early returns have been positive.

"He's been great here early," Underwood said. "His attitude is terrific. His desire and want to be in the Illinois uniform is a big, big factor in him being here, but I love his talent and love his ability."

Underwood has repeatedly praised Williams as an athlete. The Illinois coach has called him "maybe as gifted athletically as any young man we've had" and a "special, special talent athletically."

Williams' competitiveness has also long stood out to Underwood.

"He plays with a chip on his shoulder," the Illini coach said. "He's got great competitive fire. He reminds me, in all fairness I don't like comparing him, but Ayo (Dosunmu) when he got here. Just a competitive winner. He can shoot it. He can play off the bounce. He's a very gifted defender with length and anticipation, and then he's got just a great want to. I'm very, very high on him.

"He's a guy we have a tremendous amount of confidence in, and his ability speaks for itself. He's got an opportunity to be a great Illini for a long, long time. I've been very pleased with what he's done to this point, and we'll look forward to the rest of the summer."

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.