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The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
Sahil Mittal

Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter

4-star guard Keaton Wagler commits to Illinois

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • September 18, 2024
Terrence Shannon Jr. awaits his name to be called for the starting lineup against Purdue on March 5. Shannon and his legal team plan to sue the Lawrence PD and county's DA for "millions."

Former Illini Terrence Shannon Jr. to sue Lawrence PD and Douglas County DA for ‘millions’

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • September 13, 2024
A basketball lays on a ball cart as Illinois practices before the game against Marquette on Nov. 14.

Illini Decide: Stay or throw it away? Current All-Star game format

By Tess Eken, Ben Fader, Sahil Mittal and Conor Blount • September 12, 2024
Quarterback Luke Altmyer waits for a snap on Sept. 2, 2023.

Illini Decide: Stay or throw away? Helmet communication for NCAA

By Ben Fader, Tess Eken, Conor Blount and Sahil Mittal • September 3, 2024
Head coach Brad Underwood watches as Illinois takes on Kansas in an exhibition game last season. Underwood’s Illini are set to take on four top 25 schools in the 2024-25 season.

Illinois men’s basketball non-conference schedule headlined by 4 top 25 opponents

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • August 20, 2024
As the second quarter of a football game against Toledo on Sept. 2 comes close to its start, the Illini student section hold up signs collectivle forming "INI."

The coolest venues Illini athletics will visit in the 2024-25 season

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • August 15, 2024
Sophomore Guard Ty Rodgers coming back on defense after scoring a jump shot in the first half

New look Illini: 2024-25 men’s basketball roster preview

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • August 15, 2024
Former Illini and current New Orleans Pelican Malcolm Hill sits down to watch an NBA Summer League game on July 12, 2024 in Las Vegas.

Now a New Orleans Pelican, Malcolm Hill has come a long way since his days at Illinois

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • July 21, 2024
Former Illini Giorgi Bezhanishvili warms up for the Indiana Pacers before their NBA Summer League game on July 14, 2024 in Las Vegas.

Q&A | Catching up with Illini fan favorite Giorgi Bezhanishvili

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • July 17, 2024
Former Illini Terrence Shannon Jr. drives to the basket during the Timberwolves loss to the 76ers at the 2024 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas on July 16.

Terrence Shannon Jr. quiet offensively in third NBA Summer League game

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • July 16, 2024
Marcus Domask talks to a teammate at a stoppage in play during the Chicago Bulls loss to the Golden State Warriors on July 14 at the 2024 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Bulls coach Billy Donovan III praises Marcus Domask despite limited minutes at NBA Summer League

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • July 15, 2024
Terrence Shannon Jr. runs down the court in the Timberwolves 2024 NBA Summer League game on July 14 against the Indiana Pacers.

Terrence Shannon Jr. has strong second half in Timberwolves NBA Summer League victory

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • July 14, 2024
Quincy Guerrier exits the court at halftime of the Toronto Raptors’ first NBA Summer League game on July 13, 2024.

Q&A | Quincy Guerrier talks transitioning from Illinois to pro basketball with Toronto Raptors

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • July 14, 2024
Brandin Podziemski poses as a freshman at Illinois on the team’s photo day. Podziemski ended up transferring to Santa Clara after his freshman year and was the No. 19 overall pick by the Warriors in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Former Illini Brandin Podziemski scores 16 in first game of 2024 NBA Summer League

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • July 14, 2024
Marcus Domask enters the game for the Chicago Bulls at the 2024 NBA Summer League on July 13 in Las Vegas.

Marcus Domask makes NBA Summer League debut for Bulls, discusses adjusting to pro game

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • July 13, 2024
Minnesota Timberwolves rookie and former Illini Terrence Shannon Jr. rises up for a dunk in his NBA Summer League debut on July 12, 2024 in Las Vegas.

Terrence Shannon Jr. impresses in NBA Summer League debut, scores 25

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • July 12, 2024
Joliet-native Jeremiah Fears poses for promotional photos after his commitment to Illinois.

Four-star guard Jeremiah Fears decommits from Illinois, will reopen recruitment

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • July 1, 2024
Former Illini Marcus Domask drills a jump shot in the second half against Northwestern on Jan. 2. Domask has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Chicago Bulls.

Chicago Bulls sign Marcus Domask to Exhibit 10 deal

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • June 27, 2024
Former Illini Quincy Guerrier during a game against Oakland on Nov. 10, 2023. Guerrier has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Toronto Raptors.

Quincy Guerrier agrees to Exhibit 10 deal with Toronto Raptors

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • June 27, 2024
Terrence Shannon Jr. smiles as he sinks in a free throw against Mizzou. Shannon was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 27th pick of the 2024 NBA Draft.

Minnesota Timberwolves select Terrence Shannon Jr. in NBA Draft

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • June 26, 2024
Five-star prospect Will Riley poses with a basketball during an official visit to Illinois.

Five-star wing Will Riley commits to Illinois, reclassifies to 2024

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • June 23, 2024
Fifth year guard #0 Terrence Shannon Jr. excitedly walking back to Illinois’ bench after Purdue calls a timeout during the Illinois vs. Purdue game, March.

Terrence Shannon Jr.’s No. 0 jersey will hang in rafters at State Farm Center

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • June 20, 2024
Coleman Hawkins celebrates a big play against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Feb. 24. Hawkins committed to Kansas State on Friday after four years at Illinois.

Kansas State lands former Illini Coleman Hawkins via transfer portal

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • June 14, 2024
Head coach Brad Underwood embraces fifth year guard Terrence Shannon Jr. during senior night at the State Farm Center on March 5. Shannon has been found not guilty of sexual assault charges by a Kansas jury.

Not guilty: Illinois star Terrence Shannon Jr. acquitted by jury in rape case

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • June 13, 2024
Morez Johnson during a visit to the University in October 2021. The 6-foot-8 forward will join the Illini as a freshman this fall.

Illinois commits Morez Johnson and Jeremiah Fears win gold medal at FIBA U18 AmeriCup

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • June 9, 2024
Senior Forward Coleman Hawkins drives to the basket during a basketball game against Michigan on Feb 13.

Coleman Hawkins withdraws from NBA Draft, will transfer to new school

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • May 29, 2024

Illinois lands commitment from top European prospect Kasparas Jakucionis

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • May 28, 2024
Illinois graduate Coleman Hawkins prepares to drive to the basket during a scrimmage at the NBA Combine on May 15 in Chicago.

Coleman Hawkins shines in final scrimmage at Combine, discusses next steps before draft withdrawal deadline

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • May 15, 2024
Illinois graduate Coleman Hawkins dribbles around the perimeter in his first scrimmage at the 2024 NBA Combine in Chicago.

Coleman Hawkins showcases versatility in first scrimmage at NBA Combine

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • May 15, 2024
Illinois graduate Terrence Shannon Jr. speaks to the media on Tuesday, May 14 at the NBA Combine in Chicago.

Terrence Shannon Jr. speaks to media, discusses Illinois career and NBA Combine

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • May 14, 2024
Illinois graduate Coleman Hawkins shoots a free throw on May 13, 2024, at the NBA Combine in Chicago.

Hawkins undergoes on-court evaluations at NBA Combine, Shannon Jr. does not participate

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • May 13, 2024
Emily Casati serves as the Women’s Tennis team takes on Illinois State at Atkins Tennis Center on Feb. 12.

Season ends for Illinois women’s tennis with first round loss at NCAA tournament

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • May 8, 2024
Photo courtesy of Illini Athletics

Illinois lands international big man Ivišić

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • May 6, 2024
Senior forward Coleman Hawkins lays down a huge dunk against Purdue on March 5.

BREAKING: Hawkins enters transfer portal while keeping name in NBA Draft

By Ben Fader and Sahil Mittal • April 30, 2024
Redshirt freshman Niccolo Moretti enters a basketball game on March 5 after Terrence Shannon Jr gets in foul trouble.

Niccolo Moretti enters portal, adds to growing list of outbound Illini

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • April 29, 2024
Graduate student forward Marcus Domask drives toward the basket during a game against Michigan on Jan. 30.

Illinois’ Marcus Domask enters NBA draft after waiver denied

By Sahil Mittal and Ben Fader • April 25, 2024
Doubles partners Kate Duong (front) and Megan Heuser (rear) hype each other up between serves during a game on Sept. 23.

No. 5 seeded Illinois women’s tennis to play Rutgers at Big Ten tournament

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • April 25, 2024
Head coach Evan Clark talks to the Illinois women’s tennis team before the Illinois v. Indiana match on Friday, April 12 in the Atkins Tennis Center on South Goodwin Avenue.

No. 35 Illinois women’s tennis earns win at Penn State, falls to No. 15 Ohio State

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • April 24, 2024
Junior guard #10 Luke Goode makes his free throw. Graduate guard #4 Justin Harmon takes a breather as Luke shoots at the line.

Luke Goode enters the transfer portal

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • April 22, 2024
Men’s basketball associate head coach Orlando Antigua

Illinois men’s basketball brings back former assistant coach Orlando Antigua

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • April 21, 2024
Junior Mathis Debru celebrates winning a game during a doubles match. Debru and Sophomore Kenta Miyoshi defeated Junior Will Cooksey and Freshman Alex Cairo 6-1 in doubles.

Illinois men’s tennis hosts Purdue, looks to continue winning streak

By Ben Fader and Sahil Mittal • April 19, 2024
Notre Dame freshman forward Casey Booth goes for a layup in a game against Syracuse University.

Illinois acquires Notre Dame transfer Carey Booth

By Sahil Mittal and Ben Fader • April 16, 2024
Freshman forward Amani Hansberry during the second half of a basketball game against Iowa at the State Farm Center on Feb. 24.

Rising sophomore Amani Hansberry enters transfer portal

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • April 16, 2024
Champaign native Kylan Boswell poses with a basketball for promotional photos with Illini Athletics.

Illinois brings home Champaign native Kylan Boswell via transfer portal

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • April 14, 2024
Report: Chester Frazier leaves Illinois men’s basketball for West Virginia

Report: Chester Frazier leaves Illinois men’s basketball for West Virginia

By Sahil Mittal and Ben Fader • April 13, 2024
Fifth year Josie Frazier sends the ball over the net in a doubles match on March 30.

Indiana invasion: Purdue and IU to take on No. 35 Illinois women’s tennis

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • April 11, 2024
Sophomore Violeta Martinez returns the ball in her match on Feb. 17, which was cut short because the Illini won the meet automatically.

No. 32 Illinois women’s tennis sweeps Minnesota, falls in competitive match at Wisconsin

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • April 10, 2024

University of Louisville transfer Tre White commits to Illinois men’s basketball

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • April 9, 2024
2024 four-star guard Jase Butler decommits from Illinois

2024 four-star guard Jase Butler decommits from Illinois

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • April 8, 2024
Sophomore Violeta Martinez returns the ball in a match against Brown University on Feb. 7.

No. 41 Illinois continues conference play at home against in-state rival Northwestern

By Sahil Mittal, Staff Writer • March 30, 2024
Junior Megan Heuser prepares to receive in a match against Brown University on Feb 17.

Illinois falls at Iowa but bounces back with win over Nebraska

By Sahil Mittal, Staff Writer • March 30, 2024
Janice Mei, sophomore in Engineering, does homework in a hammock on the Main Quad.

Best of CU | Best Place to Hammock: Main Quad

By Sahil Mittal, Staff Writer • March 28, 2024
Fifth year Josie Frazier and junior McKenna Schaefbauer in a doubles match against Mississippi on Feb. 11. The game remained unfinished due to two other Illinois wins in doubles.

No. 24 Illinois defeats Tulsa, drops 2 matches at Blue Gray Tennis Classic

By Sahil Mittal, Staff Writer • February 29, 2024
Junior Megan Heuser celebrates winning a set against Brown University on Feb. 17.

Illinois women’s tennis defeats Brown, Marshall, stays undefeated at home

By Sahil Mittal, Staff Writer • February 22, 2024
Sophomore McKenna Schaefbauer returns the ball in her match against Junior Kasia Treiber at the Fighting Illini Women's Open on Nov. 7.

Illinois kicks off 3-match homestand against Ole Miss on Sunday

By Sahil Mittal, Staff Writer • February 11, 2024
Junior Kasia Treiber prepares to return the ball in her match against Sophomore McKenna Schaefbauer at Atkins Tennis Center on Nov. 7.

Illinois women’s tennis shut out by No. 19 California, pulls off upset against No. 23 UCF

By Sahil Mittal, Staff Writer • February 3, 2024
Illinois Women’s Tennis faces off against Georgia Tech at the Atkins Tennis Center on Feb. 3.

Illinois women’s tennis defeats Charlotte, suffers first loss to No. 15 Duke

By Sahil Mittal, Staff Writer • January 28, 2024
Katherine Duong serves the ball in her match against Lucia De Santa Ana on Nov. 7.

One last ride: Kate Duong reflects on journey, discusses final season as Illini

By Sahil Mittal, Staff Writer • January 16, 2024
Kida Ferrari takes on the Illinois State University Redbirds at Atkins Tennis Center on Feb. 12.

New faces, seasoned veterans: 2024 Illinois women’s tennis season preview

By Sahil Mittal, Staff Writer • January 15, 2024

8 Illini compete at USTA/ITF 15K professional event

By Sahil Mittal, Staff Writer • November 17, 2023
Junior Kasia Treiber readies to serve against Georgia Tech on Feb. 3.

Illinois women’s tennis concludes team portion of fall competition at TCU

By Sahil Mittal, Contributing Writer • November 3, 2023
Kasia Treiber takes on Illinois State University at Atkins Tennis Center on Feb. 12.

Illinois women’s tennis remains positive after competitive weekend at ITA Midwest Regional

By Sahil Mittal, Contributing Writer • October 22, 2023

Illinois women’s tennis travels to East Lansing for critical event of season

By Sahil Mittal, Contributing Writer • October 11, 2023
ILLordle: Play now