With just an hour until the tip of the 2024-25 season, the Illinois basketball team received some disappointing news. The team had put together a talented roster for the new season under coach Brad Underwood, with only two scholarship players returning from last year’s Elite 8 run: Ty Rodgers and Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn. These two players had decided to come back for another season to help the team go even further this time.
However, just before the season started, it was reported that Ty Rodgers had decided to take a redshirt for this season. This came as a surprise, as Rodgers had been a key utility player for the team. Some speculated that this decision might mean Rodgers is looking to transfer to another program after saving a year of eligibility.
Rodgers had a strong sophomore season, starting all 38 games and averaging 6.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. Despite his contributions, it seemed clear that he might not start this season due to the new talent brought in by Illinois. The question now is whether Rodgers will have a place in the starting lineup next season, as the team is expected to recruit more players in the offseason.
While it’s uncertain what the future holds for Rodgers at Illinois, many wish him the best in his development and career moving forward. The team will have to adjust to his absence this season and work towards their goals with the remaining players. It will be interesting to see how the season unfolds and if Illinois can overcome this setback to achieve success on the court.