CHAMPAIGN, Ill . – University of Illinois head coach Brad Underwood announced Wednesday the signing of five-star point guard Ayo Dosunmu (EYE-oh dough-SUE-moo) from Chicago Morgan Park High School to a national letter of intent.
Dosunmu had a dominating junior season for the Mustangs, averaging 22 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and two steals. The first-team all-state selection led Morgan Park to the IHSA state championship in class 3A, despite an injury in the semifinals that kept him out of the title game. He also helped Morgan Park to the Public League Red South title. Dosunmu shined during the summer as well, excelling at the NBPA Top 100 camp and Nike Basketball Academy and on the AAU circuit with the Mac Irvin Fire.
"We feel we are getting the best point guard in the country in Ayo Dosunmu," Underwood said. "He possesses a number of traits that have elevated him to elite status. He is a proven winner, a great competitor, comes from a tremendous family, is a high-character young man, and has outstanding work ethic.
"Along with being a perfect fit for our system and style, Ayo embraces the power of Fighting Illini basketball and joining a program with such great history and tradition," Underwood added. "It is extremely important to him to wear the "I" and represent our state."
Following the commitment of 2017 Illinois Mr. Basketball recipient Mark Smith just six weeks after taking over in Champaign, Underwood has made another statement on the recruiting trail by landing the top 25-ranked Dosunmu, a McDonald's All-America Game candidate and the highest-rated guard to join the Fighting Illini program since Dee Brown signed in November 2001.
AYO DOSUNMU
Point Guard, 6-5, 185
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
High School / Coach: Morgan Park / Nick Irvin
AAU Program / Coach: Mac Irvin Fire / Mike Irvin
Notes on Dosunmu: Five-star recruit ranked No. 24 by the recruiting services consensus index, checking in at No. 20 by Rivals, No. 27 by 247Sports composite and No. 29 by ESPN … Starting point guard for Morgan Park squad that won the 2017 IHSA Class 3A state championship and Chicago Public League Red South title … First-team All-State by the Associated Press, Chicago Sun-Times, Champaign News-Gazette and Illinois Basketball Coaches Association … Second-team All-State by the Chicago Tribune … All-Area and first-team All-City by the Sun-Times … Averaged 22 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and two steals as a junior … Scored a career-high 51 points in season opener vs. Bowen on Nov. 27, 2016 … Selected to participate in the NBPA Top 100 camp and Nike Basketball Academy.
