Illinois basketball’s Black can avoid prison time with diversionary agreement

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Leron Black (12) during Illinois’s game against Oregon at the United Center in Chicago last season. The Illini face UIC there on Saturday with a chance to rise above .500.

By Joey Figeuroa, Staff writer

Illinois basketball’s Leron Black will likely accept a diversionary agreement to settle the felony charges he currently faces pending a judge’s approval.

Black was arrested Feb. 19 for allegedly threatening a Canopy Club security guard with a knife during a Lil Durk concert. The sophomore forward originally pleaded not guilty to a Class 4 felony aggravated assault charge, which can carry a sentence of up to three years in prison.

The diversion agreement hearing took place April 1, during which counsel for the state and the defendant prepared to enter the agreement. Upon entering the diversion program, Black’s felony pretrial, which was initially scheduled for April 19, will be vacated.

A diversionary agreement is a program the Champaign County Circuit Court typically offers offenders with no criminal record.

Black’s initial diversion hearing is set for April 21.

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His arrest preceded the March arrests of Illinois guards Jaylon Tate and Kendrick Nunn for separate cases of domestic battery. Tate and Nunn are each set to appear in pretrial court on April 20.

All three players have been suspended indefinitely by head coach John Groce.

Champaign County State’s attorney Julia Rietz could not be reached for comment.

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@joeyfigueroa3