- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,131,362
- Reaction score
- 59
Apr. 16—CHAMPAIGN — Ty Rodgers ended the 2025-26 season with every intention of returning to Illinois.
It was the way the veteran wing looked at his basketball future in Greenville, S.C., as Illinois clinched a spot in the Sweet 16 and how he envisioned his 2026-27 season in Indianapolis in the wake of the Illini's Final Four loss.
"Obviously, there will be some coaches meetings like there always is, but as of right now I'm I-L-L," Rodgers said in the locker room at Lucas Oil Stadium not long after Illinois lost to Connecticut.
The reality? Rodgers won't be back with the Illini. ESPN's Jeff Borzello reported late Thursday morning the Saginaw, Mich., native would enter the transfer portal.
Rodgers has not played the past two seasons. The 6-foot-6, 210-pound wing opted to redshirt the 2024-25 season — preserving a year of eligibility — after Illinois added Louisville transfer Tre White and signed five-star freshman Will Riley.
That full season to simply work on his game wound up for naught. Primed for a comeback in 2025-26, Rodgers tore the patellar tendon in his left knee during a pick-up game back home in Michigan. That injury and the subsequent surgery sidelined him all of last season where he, for the second straight year, contributed culturally if not on the court for Illinois.
Rodgers should have two seasons of eligibility wherever he lands next. He averaged 6.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and two assists as a starter for Illinois' Elite Eight team in 2023-24, but he attempted just a single three-pointer in his two seasons on the court for the Illini.
Continue reading...
It was the way the veteran wing looked at his basketball future in Greenville, S.C., as Illinois clinched a spot in the Sweet 16 and how he envisioned his 2026-27 season in Indianapolis in the wake of the Illini's Final Four loss.
"Obviously, there will be some coaches meetings like there always is, but as of right now I'm I-L-L," Rodgers said in the locker room at Lucas Oil Stadium not long after Illinois lost to Connecticut.
The reality? Rodgers won't be back with the Illini. ESPN's Jeff Borzello reported late Thursday morning the Saginaw, Mich., native would enter the transfer portal.
Rodgers has not played the past two seasons. The 6-foot-6, 210-pound wing opted to redshirt the 2024-25 season — preserving a year of eligibility — after Illinois added Louisville transfer Tre White and signed five-star freshman Will Riley.
That full season to simply work on his game wound up for naught. Primed for a comeback in 2025-26, Rodgers tore the patellar tendon in his left knee during a pick-up game back home in Michigan. That injury and the subsequent surgery sidelined him all of last season where he, for the second straight year, contributed culturally if not on the court for Illinois.
Rodgers should have two seasons of eligibility wherever he lands next. He averaged 6.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and two assists as a starter for Illinois' Elite Eight team in 2023-24, but he attempted just a single three-pointer in his two seasons on the court for the Illini.
Continue reading...
