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:

This particular beat writer is currently on vacation, but he didn’t want to leave you hanging every day at 6 a.m. That’s where this series taking a look at some of Illinois’ Class of 2021 recruiting targets comes into play.

Franck Kepnang

Height: 6-11

Weight: 247

Position: C

School: Westtown School (Pa.)

Ranking: No. 37 (247Sports); No. 26 (Rivals)

Notable offers: Auburn, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Ohio State, Oregon, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Texas A&M, UCLA

Film review: Plays with a physicality in the paint. Can, if he has to, put the ball on the floor and get to the rim. Doesn’t put the ball on the court when it isn’t necessary and keeps ball high after corralling entry pass. Length and athleticism make him both an ideal alley oop target and a solid rebounder. Won’t break any land speed records, but can get up and down the court in transition. Just the tiniest inkling of a jumper. Takes a little doing to get off, but the makings for more are there.

Illinois’ chances: Too early to tell. The Illini haven’t progressed quite as far with Kepnang as they have with, say, Mac Etienne. That Kepnang also decided against reclassifying to the Class of 2020 means he wouldn’t be an option should Kofi Cockburn keep his name in the NBA draft (unlike Etienne, who at least hasn’t said he won’t). Kepnang staying in the 2021 class simply means Illinois has longer to work on his recruitment.