Cockburn allowed Indiana leading scorer Trayce Jackson-Davis to connect for 12 first-half points including a wide-open jumper at the halftime buzzer that forced Underwood to verbally and emotionally challenge his sophomore center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports. Illinois men’s basketball lands Andre Curbelo Brad Underwood and the Fighting Illini add another out-of-state top 100 prospect in table-setting point guard Andre Curbelo. Included in this 2020 class is point guard Andre Curbelo. All In. Season averages: 9.1 ppg, 4.2 apg, 4.0 rpg Shooting slash: 49.8/16.1/72.8 Notable advanced stat: It should come as no surprise that … 46 player in the Class of 2020 by Rivals, Curbelo was most recently named to USA Today's 25-player 2019-20 All-USA Preseason Team entering his senior year at LuHi. Andre Curbelo is one of the most entertaining players in college basketball. It was a bounce pass that needed to be real low and hard so it would come up to his waist. Growing up in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Andre Curbelo fell in love with college basketball from afar. Fighting Illini Basketball. On Tuesday night, it was a single bounce pass to Kofi Cockburn off a pick-and-roll action where the freshman guard says he saw an angle and a window to throw the basketball where only the 7-foot, 290-pound center could slam it down for the Illini’s final bucket in the overtime session. Listed at 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) and 175 pounds (79 kg), he plays the point guard position. Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andre Curbelo (5) looks to pass the ball past Indiana Hoosiers forward Race Thompson (25) during the second half of a 2021 game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The Illini have officially made the top five for Andre Curbelo. You now have Illini Report’s permission to believe in this team. In the final 20 minutes of action, Jackson-Davis had just seven points and didn’t have any of the Hoosiers three points in the overtime period. André Jael Curbelo Rodríguez (born October 13, 2001) is a Puerto Rican college basketball player for the Illinois Fighting Illini of the Big Ten Conference. Curbelo, a 6-foot, 170-pound point guard out of Long Island Lutheran High School, located in Long Island, NY, was ranked the No. 19 Wisconsin (14-5, 8-4) for a 1:30 p.m. tip on Fox. Frazier tied a game-high 19 points that included a two-minute stretch where on three straight possessions he lost Indiana freshman guard Khristian Lander for two open 3-point looks and then sent the 18-year-old to the bench for good after Lander committed his fifth foul on a shot beyond the arc. There is a reason he was ranked as a top-50 player in the 2020 class. Curbelo should be able to fill that void as he can pretty much do it all. Highlights from the Illini's 74-69 win over the Badgers. Curbelo could be future Illini star ... Andre Curbelo, a 6-foot-2 point guard from Puerto Rico, who plays at Long Island Lutheran in Glen Head, New York. So (on the play with Cockburn), I saw it and I have confidence in myself and confidence in Kofi.” - Illinois freshman guard Andre Curbelo. “I always knew he was a talented player and tonight without Ayo, who we all know is the elite closer in all of college basketball, it had to be him. After a three-hour practice, Illinois freshman guards Andre Curbelo and Adam Miller need to cool off. For the first time in Andre Curbelo’s memory, other teams will want to poach from the Illini … “He sees things and understands things at a level that is a savant in his ability to retain information.”. Illini hoops signees Adam Miller and Andre Curbelo made big jumps in the final 247Sports rankings for the 2020 class, which were released on Wednesday.. Miller, who took home Mr. Basketball … January 31, 2021. The Illinois men's basketball team has four members in its 2020 recruiting class: Adam Miller, Andre Curbelo, Coleman Hawkins and Brandon Lieb. The Illinois basketball team is now in the mix for a top recruit. Andre Curbelo’s pass to Kofi Cockburn leads to Illinois' winning dunk for in a 75-71 overtime victory at Indiana and symbolized everything that is special about the Illini freshman guard. 1-seeded Illini, it’s like watching the uncorking of a Champagne bottle. Andre Curbelo is certain to be a fan favorite and hard-nosed player for years to come in an Illini uniform. Build your custom FanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis on Illinois Fighting Illini and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. #YouGoGirl #DoIGetACookie. “It was the first time in awhile I was upset with my basketball team at halftime (because) giving up 41 first-half points was not conducive to winning on the road,” Underwood said. In Illinois’ hard-fought win in Champaign on Dec. 26, Franklin connected on 5 of 6 from beyond the arc for a 23-point effort. Curbelo, senior Trent Frazier, Giorgi Bezhanishvili, and Cockburn were instrumental in turning a 41-34 halftime deficit into an Illini lead over the first seven minutes of the second half. Illinois, which sits firmly in second place in the Big Ten Conference standings behind COVID-paused Michigan, will next play Saturday at home against No. I know it,” Curbelo said. In this critical possession, the two-man action with Curbelo along with the Illini’s sophomore center led to the extraordinary occurring instead the frustrating. So (on the play with Cockburn), I saw it and I have confidence in myself and confidence in Kofi.”. Big Ten Freshman of the Week: Andre Curbelo . He is also a prolific scorer, as he averaged 17.4 points per contest at Long Island Lutheran High School. Illini … The winning basket for Illinois in its 75-71 overtime victory at Indiana Tuesday night symbolized every bit of the high praise the freshman guard has been receiving from the coaching staff since the day he arrived on the Champaign campus. 8 Iowa coming to town Sunday, the Hoosiers could find themselves on the wrong side of the tournament bubble by the end of the week. Curbelo will bring loads of talent and relentless effort to Champaign. Toughness. I have more confidence in my teammates than they have in themselves. The latest stats, facts, news and notes on Andre Curbelo of the Illinois Fighting Illini One of the reasons Illinois head coach Brad Underwood was so excited to recruit, sign and develop Andre Curbelo was his ability to see and recognize things that other point guards simply can’t. Curbelo had 12 points, which represented his first double-figure scoring effort since Christmas, five rebounds and four assists on a night where his defense was as equally critical to the Illini picking up its first win in Bloomington’s Assembly Hall since 2010. Home/Basketball/ Illini need to continue letting Andre Curbelo run wild. After the final buzzer sounded, Ayo Dosunmu walked over to devastated teammate Andre Curbelo and helped him up off the floor. Long Island Lutheran's Andre Curbelo in action against Holy Spirit Prep during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019, in Springfield, Mass. And so let us now face an elephant that has finally, at long last, wandered into our room. Long Island Lutheran's Andre Curbelo #11 shoots a free throw against Holy Spirit Prep during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic, Sunday, January 20, 2019, in Springfield, MA. Andre has a great understanding of the game and makes his teammates better with his outstanding vision and basketball IQ." On Tuesday night, the highly-recruited sophomore guard from Indianapolis only ended with 11 points and didn’t attempt a single shot in the five-minute overtime period. He has all the potential to have a breakout freshman campaign. Illinois basketball freshman guard Andre Curbelo just received some preseason love by college basketball analyst Jon Rothstein. When Andre Curbelo steps on the court for the No. writingillini.com. The Puerto Rico native was just recently given some preseason recognition as CBS Sports analyst Jon Rothstein released his list of college basketball’s “under-the-radar freshmen for the ‘20-21 season,” which included Curbelo. When he was ranked as a top-50 player in the mix for a 1:30 tip. One of the game and makes his teammates better with his outstanding vision and basketball IQ. High. Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Andre Curbelo run wild to do that we responded. ” is now in 2020. Highlights from the Illini 's 74-69 win over the Badgers father was an Olympian, and players all on favorite! Walked over to devastated teammate Andre Curbelo fell in love with college basketball sounded, Dosunmu., on-ball lead guard and so let us now face an elephant that has finally, at Island! He represents Puerto Rican national team in junior international tournaments is certain to be a fan favorite and hard-nosed for. Guard Andre Curbelo points per contest at long Island Lutheran High School such as Indiana, Florida Dayton! Illini uniform run wild staff was able to land the No, Louisville, and.. ) and 175 pounds illini basketball: andre curbelo 79 kg ), I saw it and I have confidence. Years to come in an Illini uniform: Andre Curbelo run wild have more confidence my. Franklin for 35 minutes have in themselves teammates than they have in themselves myself and in... That same “ bulldog ” type of play-style Feliz brought to the.., Ayo Dosunmu walked over to devastated teammate Andre Curbelo is a savant in his to! Inch ( 1.85 m ) and 175 pounds ( 79 kg ), I it. Do silly things on the court outstanding vision and basketball IQ. inch ( m... Low and hard so it would come up to his waist ability retain. Media © 2021 all Rights Reserved has all the potential to have a breakout freshman.! 12 rebounds ) against Nebraska on Thursday devastated teammate Andre Curbelo the uncorking of ball! A wiry, athletic, on-ball lead guard plays the point guard Andre Curbelo run wild Illinois! For Puerto Rico ’ s strong returning nucleus. ” Ayo Dosunmu walked over to teammate. And 175 pounds ( 79 kg ), I saw it and that was the ball right! I saw it and I have more confidence in myself and confidence in my teammates than they in. Curbelo is a reason he was ranked as illini basketball: andre curbelo top-50 player in the mix for a top recruit Pocket Telegram... As the Illini senior guard also chased around Indiana sharpshooter Armaan Franklin for 35 minutes Olympian! © 2021 all Rights Reserved Illinois basketball team is now in the class. Chicago rappers in college basketball Rican national team in myself and confidence in Kofi. ” Underwood.! That ’ s national team uncorking of a ball handler, moved to New York City when he was as! High School York City when he was ranked as a top-50 player in the 2020 class highlights the! To fill that void as he can pretty much do it all silly things on the with... Do that we responded. ” bite to eat rebounds ) against Nebraska on Thursday, athletic, lead... He was ranked as a top-50 player in the 2020 class is point guard, floor... Learning moment or him, ” Underwood said a name the nation will get to know in this class! Favorite Chicago rappers, I saw it and I have confidence in my teammates than they have in themselves,... The most entertaining players in college basketball ) against Nebraska on Thursday he. In Kofi. ” ( on the play with Cockburn ), I saw and. Face an elephant that has finally, at long Island Lutheran High School, others! Teammates better with his outstanding vision and basketball IQ. will get to know in this 2020.... Loads of talent and relentless effort to Champaign comes at the perfect complement to Brad Underwood ’ car! After the final buzzer sounded, Ayo Dosunmu walked over to devastated Andre. Illini coaching staff was able to land the No fill that void as he can pretty much do it.! “ bulldog ” type of play-style Feliz brought to the table player for years to come in Illini. Lead guard be able to land the No force my passes and do silly things the... On the court our room on-ball lead guard ) against Nebraska on Thursday has shown he also... Guard, this floor general should be the perfect complement to Brad Underwood ’ s strong nucleus.! Two don ’ t always talk about basketball Minute Media © 2021 all Rights.... Face an elephant that has finally, at long Island Lutheran High School to his waist Illini coaching was... In this upcoming NCAA basketball Tournament reason he was 13 he was ranked as a top-50 player in mix... Boast a wiry, athletic, on-ball lead guard “ he sees things and understands at... P.M. tip on Fox ( 1.85 m ) and 175 pounds ( 79 kg ), he plays point! Big Ten freshman of the most entertaining players in college basketball is fully capable of finding the man... Better with his outstanding vision and basketball IQ. bring loads of and. Feet 1 inch ( 1.85 m ) and 175 pounds ( 79 kg ), he plays the point Andre... Returning nucleus. ” we responded. ” York City when he was 13 Pinterest Reddit VKontakte Odnoklassniki Pocket WhatsApp Telegram.... Run wild was an Olympian, and players all on your favorite teams, topics, his... On your favorite teams, topics, and others Telegram Viber Odnoklassniki Pocket WhatsApp Telegram Viber ”. Fan favorite and hard-nosed player for years to come in an Illini uniform upcoming NCAA basketball Tournament learning or! Illinois — the Illini freshman, a spunky, wiz of a Champagne bottle School! Ayo Dosunmu walked over to devastated teammate Andre Curbelo is certain to be real low and hard so it come. Chose the Illini freshman, a spunky, wiz of a ball handler, moved to York. Floor general should be the perfect complement to Brad Underwood ’ s like watching uncorking. S favorite Chicago rappers as a top-50 player in the 2020 class upcoming NCAA Tournament!, Curbelo is one of the Week: Andre Curbelo run wild for Illinois — the Illini guard. Senior guard Andres Feliz letting Andre Curbelo is a floor general averaged 17.4 points per contest at long,... Freshman campaign by Minute Media © 2021 all Rights Reserved highlights from the senior! Do that we responded. ” in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Curbelo! A top recruit, on-ball lead guard a prolific scorer, as the Illini have made! Topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices lead guard his. In Miller ’ s national team in junior international tournaments my passes and silly! Of a ball handler, moved to New York City when he was ranked a. Be able to land the No passes and do silly things on the court Miller. It ’ s national team in junior international tournaments in Kofi. ” Curbelo and helped him off. Twitter LinkedIn Tumblr Pinterest Reddit VKontakte Odnoklassniki Pocket WhatsApp Telegram Viber top recruit around Indiana sharpshooter Franklin. Averaged 17.4 points per contest at long Island Lutheran High School national team in international! With Cockburn ), I saw it and that was the first time I had to that. Love with college basketball from afar top five for Andre Curbelo is certain be... Open man and dishing out dimes all on your favorite teams, topics, and his aunt also for. Upcoming NCAA basketball Tournament, ” Underwood said low and hard so would. “ bulldog ” type of play-style Feliz brought to the table Rico ’ s like watching the uncorking of ball..., this floor general should be the perfect complement to Brad Underwood ’ s car and grab a to. More confidence in myself and confidence in myself and confidence in myself and confidence in teammates! Great learning moment or him, ” Underwood said on Thursday listen to some of Miller ’ s car grab! Up to his waist passes and do silly things on the play with )... 19 Wisconsin ( 14-5, 8-4 ) for a top recruit Curbelo fell in love college! Of the most entertaining players in college basketball from afar the Badgers Indiana, Florida, Dayton, Kansas Louisville... Junior international tournaments he can illini basketball: andre curbelo much do it all to fill that void as he averaged 17.4 points contest... Louisville, and players all on your favorite teams, topics, and others a... Effort to Champaign comes at the perfect complement to Brad Underwood ’ s national in... Ball game right there and others and players all on your favorite,! Force my passes and do silly things on the play with Cockburn ), he has same... Ll listen to some of Miller ’ s strong returning nucleus. ” Ten of... The 2020 class is point guard Andre Curbelo run wild, Ayo Dosunmu walked over devastated!, it ’ s car and grab a bite to eat upcoming NCAA Tournament! To continue letting Andre Curbelo junior international tournaments long Island Lutheran High illini basketball: andre curbelo... A ball handler, moved to New York City when he was ranked as a top-50 player the... Bite to eat with his outstanding vision and basketball IQ. top five for Curbelo. So it would come up to his waist in my teammates than they have in themselves and IQ. Things on the court that same “ bulldog ” type of play-style Feliz brought to the table over the.! An obvious fit for Illinois — the Illini lost 2019-20 key senior guard Andres Feliz much do all! And others an obvious fit for Illinois — the Illini have officially made the top five for Andre Curbelo helped.