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Jackson Janes

Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor

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All content by Jackson Janes
Josh Imatorbhebhe runs after making a catch against Northwestern Dec. 12 at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois. Imatorbhebhe signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent.

Josh Imatorbhebhe signs with Jacksonville Jaguars as undrafted free agent

May 1, 2021
Milo Eifler celebrates an incompletion during the game against Iowa Nov. 23, 2019, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

Former Illini Milo Eifler signs with New York Jets as undrafted free agent

May 1, 2021
Freshman Adam Miller scans the court for teammates against Maryland Jan. 10 at State Farm Center. Miller announced Saturday afternoon that he is transferring to Louisiana State.

Adam Miller announces transfer to Louisiana State

May 1, 2021
Nate Hobbs goes into the end zone after making a pick-six against Rutgers Nov. 2, 2019, at Memorial Stadium.

Former Illini Nate Hobbs selected in fifth round of 2021 NFL Draft

May 1, 2021
Kendrick Green (53) stands with teammates prior to the game against Iowa at Memorial Stadium Dec. 5.

Former Illini Kendrick Green selected in third round of 2021 NFL Draft

April 30, 2021
Former Illinois offensive lineman Nick Allegretti gets ready to make a block during the game against Minnesota at Memorial Stadium on Nov. 3, 2018. Allegretti is the most recent draft pick out of Illinois, though a few former players are expecting to hear their names called at the 2021 NFL Draft this weekend.

Look back on former Illini selected in NFL Draft as event approaches

April 29, 2021
Senior Da'Monte Williams plays defense during the game against Purdue Jan. 2 at State Farm Center. Williams announced Wednesday that he is returning for a fifth season.

Senior Da’Monte Williams returns for fifth season

April 28, 2021
The Orange Krush student section shouts at a game between the Illini men’s basketball team and Minnesota at State Farm Center Jan. 30, 2020.

Illinois sports lows make highs worth waiting for

April 25, 2021
Sophomore Jeanae Terry shoots the ball during the game against Valparaiso Dec. 2. Terry recently announced she is transferring to Purdue.

Former Illinois guard Jeanae Terry transfers to Purdue

April 23, 2021
Sophomore Kofi Cockburn dunks the ball during the game against Purdue Jan. 8. Cockburn declared for the NBA Draft Sunday afternoon.

Kofi Cockburn declares for NBA Draft

April 18, 2021
Senior Trent Frazier drives towards the basket during the game against Ohio State on Saturday. Frazier announced his return to Champaign Saturday afternoon.

Day in review: Frazier announces return for fifth season, Alfonso Plummer commits to Illini

April 17, 2021
Senior Trent Frazier passes to his left during the game against Ohio State on Jan. 16. Frazier declared for the NBA Draft Friday, though he is still eligible to return for a fifth season.

Trent Frazier declares for NBA Draft, retains NCAA eligibility

April 9, 2021
Junior Giorgi Bezhanishvili celebrates during the game against Iowa March 8, 2020. Bezhanishvili announced Thursday afternoon that he is departing the Illinois basketball program.

Giorgi Bezhanishvili announces departure from Illinois

April 8, 2021
Ayo Dosunmu drives to the lane during Illinois' game against Maryland Jan. 10. Dosunmu declared for the 2021 NBA Draft Tuesday afternoon.

Junior guard Ayo Dosunmu declares for 2021 NBA Draft

April 6, 2021
The Illinois men's tennis team cheers on their teammates from the bleachers in their singles matches against Minnesota on Sunday at Atkins Tennis Center. Illinois athletics teams have been working hard to beat their competition this season.

Spring sports update: Men’s tennis on 10-match winning streak, soccer enters playoffs with momentum

April 6, 2021
Junior Ayo Dosunmu attempts to pivot around two defenders during the game against Wisconsin on Feb. 6. Dosunmu won the Bob Cousy Award Saturday afternoon.

Ayo Dosunmu wins Bob Cousy Award

April 3, 2021

Illinois lands Florida transfer Omar Payne

April 3, 2021
Kennedi Myles calls for the ball from J-Naya Ephraim Dec. 2 when Illinois faced Valparaiso. Both players have chosen to play elsewhere next season, with Myles already announcing her decision to transfer to Marquette.

Myles transfers to Marquette, three other Illini enter transfer portal

April 1, 2021
Kofi Cockburn, Adam Miller, Jacob Grandison and Trent Frazier (left to right) stand together neat mid-court during the game against Drexel on March 19. A dominant display from Frazier saw the Illini advance to the Round of 32 of the NCAA tournament.

Player grades: Frazier’s complete performance helps Illinois take down 16-seed Drexel

March 19, 2021
Kofi Cockburn and Ayo Dosunmu embrace during the game against Iowa on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. Dosunmu and Cockburn were named to the Associated Press' All-America teams on Tuesday.

Dosunmu, Cockburn earn Associated Press All-American honors

March 16, 2021
Sophomore Kofi Cockburn shoots a free throw during the game against Purdue on Jan. 2. Cockburn shot 54.1% from the free-throw line during regular-season Big Ten play.

Inside the numbers: 16 Big Ten wins, Kofi’s field-goal percentage highlight unusual season

March 15, 2021
Freshman Andre Curbelo celebrates after scoring during the Big Ten semifinal match against Iowa. Curbelo is one of several freshmen who have shown promise this season.

Curbelo’s creativity, Miller’s magic help Illini find success throughout season

March 15, 2021
The Illini pose with the Big Ten Tournament trophy after beating Ohio State 91-88 in the title game on March 14 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Andre Curbelo, Giorgi Bezhanishvili and Da'Monte Williams stepped up for the Illini, helping them snap a 16-year title drought.

Player grades: Bench players step up, earn Illini first Big Ten Tournament title since 2005

March 14, 2021
Sophomore Kofi Cockburn shoots through a crowd of defenders during the game against Iowa on March 13 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Cockburn finished with 26 points and was a big reason why the Illini advanced to the Big Ten Tournament title game.

Player grades: Cockburn, Curbelo guide Illini into Big Ten Tournament title game

March 13, 2021
Andre Curbelo drives toward the basket in the first half against Michigan on March 2. The Illini beat the Wolverines, 76-53.

Player grades: Dominant displays from Curbelo, Frazier lift Illini over No. 2 Wolverines

March 3, 2021
Senior Sasha Belaya returns the ball during the meet against Wisconsin on Friday. The Illini fell to Wisconsin, but beat Minnesota in a meet on Sunday.

Illinois falls to Wisconsin, beats Minnesota for first win of season

February 28, 2021
Senior Katie Wingerter throws the ball during the Orange and Blue World Series on Oct. 25. The Illinois softball team split its double-header against Maryland today.

Illinois splits doubleheader with Maryland

February 27, 2021
Sophomore Mia Townes performs her floor exercise routine during the meet against Michigan on Sunday. The Illinois women's gymnastics team placed second in the Big Five Meet on Friday.

Illinois finishes second in Big Five Meet for second consecutive season

February 26, 2021
Illinois head coach Brad Underwood speaks to freshman Andre Curbelo during the game against Wisconsin on Feb. 6. Questions surrounding the team’s consistency remain after a loss to unranked Michigan State on Sunday Tuesday night.

Three big questions loom after No. 5 Illini upset by pesky Spartans

February 25, 2021
An Illinois women's tennis player bounces the ball before serving during competition. The team fell to Northwestern 6-1 on Sunday.

lllinois falls to No. 7 Northwestern despite winning doubles point for first time

February 21, 2021
Redshirt freshman Alex Bancila returns the ball against Penn State on Feb. 19 at Atkins Tennis Center. The Illini won the match, 5-2.

No. 6 Illinois defeats Penn State, falls to No. 9 Ohio State to open Big Ten campaign

February 21, 2021
Ayo Dosunmu goes for a dunk against Minnesota on Feb. 20. Dosunmu notched his second triple-double of the season in a 94-63 win over the Golden Gophers.

Player grades: Dosunmu’s triple-double, Frazier’s half-court heave highlight dominant win at Minnesota

February 20, 2021
Senior Zeke Clark competes in the match against Virginia on Sunday. Clark is the Illini of the Week.

Illini of the Week: Zeke Clark clinches two upset wins, earns first-career Player of the Week award

February 18, 2021
Redshirt sophomore Siphosothando Montsi celebrates after scoring a point during the match against Virginia on Sunday.

Illinois upsets Southern California, Virginia en route to third-place tournament finish

February 14, 2021
Senior Emilee Duong competes during the meet against Oklahoma on March 3, 2020. The Illini fell to Nebraska on Sunday by a score of 5-2.

Illinois opens Big Ten campaign with road losses to Iowa, Nebraska

February 14, 2021
Sophomore Ayo Dosunmu looks to pass during the game against Wisconsin on Feb. 6. Dosunmu recorded 31 points during the game.

Player grades: Dosunmu puts team on his back late in overtime win over last-place Nebraska

February 13, 2021
Iowa senior center Luke Garza attempts to defend as junior guard Ayo Dosunmu drives through the lane during the game between Illinois and Iowa on Jan. 29 at State Farm Center. Dosunmu and Garza are the front runners for the Big Ten Player of the Year award.

Hoops update: Two Illini in Big Ten, Naismith Player of the Year race

February 11, 2021

Illinois returns to Atkins Tennis Center for first time since March to take on Indiana, Purdue

February 7, 2021
Junior Ayo Dosunmu looks to pass during the game against Wisconsin on Saturday. Dosunmu recorded his first triple double at Illinois during the game, earning 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists. It is only the third triple double in Illinois history.

Player grades: Dosunmu makes history, Cockburn dominates in paint in home win over No. 19 Wisconsin

February 6, 2021
Trent Frazier shoots a three-pointer in Illinois' win against Indiana on Tuesday. Frazier had another big game, scoring 19 points.

Player grades: Frazier has another standout performance, Cockburn steps up in nail-biting win

February 3, 2021
Members of the Illinois women's tennis team high five after scoring a point during the Purdue invite this weekend.

Illini women’s tennis makes great strides in first competitive matches since March

January 31, 2021
Senior Trent Frazier yells out to a teammate during the game against Iowa on Friday. The Illini won the game 80-75.

Player grades: Big performances from Dosunmu, Frazier secure win over No. 7 Iowa

January 30, 2021
Senior Dylan Duncan attempts to break the hold of his opponent during the meet against Purdue on Friday. The men’s wrestling team is undefeated this season (4-0).

Illini sports update: Wrestling, gymnastics, volleyball teams off to undefeated starts

January 25, 2021
Senior Trent Frazier drives forward during the game against Nebraska on Feb. 24, 2020.

Big Ten hoops update: Conference deals with several postponements, paused programs

January 15, 2021
Sophomore Kofi Cockburn takes a shot during the game against Maryland Jan. 11. Cockburn declared for the NBA Draft Sunday afternoon.

Player grades: Cockburn dominates in paint, Williams has off night in upset loss to Maryland

January 11, 2021
Jamal Woods celebrates with Tarique Barnes during the Wisconsin Oct. 23, 2020. Woods has elected to return to Illinois for a fifth year.

Defensive lineman Jamal Woods announces return to Illini

January 5, 2021
Michigan guard Zeb Jackson advances against Northwestern defenders during the second half of their game on Sunday.

Big Ten hoops update: Seven ranked teams, several Player of the Year candidates after three weeks of action

January 5, 2021
Illinois senior kicker James McCourt kicks the game winning field goal during the game against Wisconsin on Oct. 19 at Memorial Stadium. McCourt will return to the Illini in 2021.

Kicker James McCourt announces return to Illini for sixth season

January 2, 2021
Senior Nate Hobbs returns an interception during the game against Rutgers on Nov. 2 at Memorial Stadium. The Illini won 38-10.

Nate Hobbs declares for NFL Draft

January 2, 2021
Senior Jake Hansen wraps up an opposing player during competion.

Jake Hansen leaves lasting legacy on program after declaring for NFL Draft

December 30, 2020
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