Illinois’ rim-protecting rebounder and shot-blocking anchor
In the 2014-15 season, Egwu was the kind of old-school big every staff loves: a high-motor defender who owned the paint, set rugged screens, and finished his Illinois career as the program’s all-time blocks leader with 201. He also brought real value on the glass, including team-leading rebounding in his junior year and steady interior production as a senior. The fit question is simple: if you want rim protection, physicality, and a dependable, team-first presence, he checks a lot of boxes—just don’t expect offense to run through him.
