Just hours before the opening tip of the season, junior forward Ty Rodgers has announced he will redshirt for the 2024-25 season. It was first reported by Jeremy Werner of the Illini Inquirer.
“It’s just something we’ve talked about before the start of the season and through the exhbitions for the last three or four weeks,” Underwood said to the media. “I think he’s excited about the next step in his development as I am as well.”
Rodgers was one of just two returning Illini, highlighting a brand-new roster heading into the year. Rodgers didn’t have a huge role in the exhibition at Ole Miss earlier this year and reportedly met with head coach Brad Underwood to announce his intentions of taking the year off. The decision brings Rodgers’ future with Illinois in doubt, but Underwood defended the decision.
“I think he’s an Illini,” Underwood said. “I think he’s our guy. We love Ty to death, but our world doesn’t have any guarantees now. We’ll do everything that we can within our power to help him be as successful as he can be.”
The 6’6 forward started all 38 games for Illinois last season on their way to a Big Ten Championship and deep postseason run. Removing Rodgers from the rotation likely creates more opportunities for guys like junior forward Tre White and freshman forward Morez Johnson Jr.
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The rest of the roster is a full go for Monday’s opener against Eastern Illinois, as they begin their defense of last year’s Elite Eight.
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