Good Morning, Illini Nation: Illinois offers 2026 guard Bryce Dixon

Dec. 28—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:

The photo Bryce Dixon chose to use when he posted to social media he had received a scholarship offer from Illinois was telling. Choosing Deron Williams wasn't an accident. You see, Williams was the last player from The Colony (Texas) that wound up in Champaign.

Might Dixon be the next?

#AGTG#Faith

✅EARNED ✅OFFERED

Appreciate @CoachFrazierILL & staff for the opportunity #FightingIllini@_CoachWrice_ @teamtraeyoungmb @TheColonyHoops @CleveRyan @VerbalCommits @GradyMajors @BallNonStop_ @Trigonis30 @JayFryeNBA @iFilmHoopers pic.twitter.com/1ZVbAEe8Ux

— BryceDixon (@brycejd34) December 26, 2023

Dixon transferred to The Colony after spending his freshman year at Pinkston High School in Dallas. It was there the 6-foot-4 guard averaged 9.3 for the 23-12 Vikings playing in the same backcourt as Dink Pate, who also left Pinkston to play for G League Ignite this season.

Dixon is teaming up with four-star 2026 guard Dakari Spear at The Colony. Those two are a key reason the Cougars are off to a 13-2 start this season.

Illinois has offered more than two dozen guards in the Class of 2026. The rest of the Illini targets include:

* JaShawn Andrews, Little Rock Christian Academy (Ark.)

* Yohance Connor, 1 of 1 Academy (N.C.)

* DeZhon Hall, Pike (Ind.)

* Brandon Bass Jr., Windermere Prep (Fla.)

* Felipe Quinones, IMG Academy (Fla.)

* Marcus Johnson, Garfield Heights (Ohio)

* Taylen Kinney, Newport (Ky.)

* Prince-Alexander Moody, Bishop McNamara (Md.)

* Jayden Moore, Hopkins (Minn.)

* Chidi Nwigwe, Bergen Catholic (N.J.)

* Adam Oumiddoch, Overtime Elite

* Qayden Samuels, Bishop McNamara (Md.)

* Jonathan Sanderson, Saline (Mich.)

* Gabe Sularski, Benet Academy

* Rassell Young, Mallard Creek (N.C.)