Kentucky may have the best fortune when it comes to luring the top high school prospects, but they lost out on one of the top graduate transfer prizes of the offseason.
Mike Thorne Jr., who averaged 10.1 points and 7.3 rebounds for Charlotte last season, chose the Fighting Illini over Kentucky, Kansas and Pittsburgh.
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Charlotte transfer big man Mike Thorne Jr. has committed to Illinois. Huge get for the #Illini. pic.twitter.com/oLDEUdVXDb
— Derek Piper (@DerekPiperBSH) April 18, 2015"I just knew Illinois was the right place for me. It's in the Big Ten, and I loved the family atmosphere," Thorne told ESPN.com. "I feel as though it's a great opportunity."
The 6-11 forward from Fayetteville, N.C. is immediately eligible after his graduation from Charlotte in May and will likely see significant minutes in the Big Ten.