NEWS: Illini Forward Ty Rodgers announces return for 2025-2026 season

Finally, Illinois basketball has some positive news going for them. After a difficult week of the transfer portal season, Illini forward Ty Rodgers announced on his social media page that he will be returning to the Orange and Blue. For Sentimental reasons, Rodgers was a key player on the team that went to the Elite Eight; however, he decided to redshirt the 2024-2025 season. After deciding to redshirt, many expected Rodgers to enter the transfer portal. However, it seems that a role has opened up with the departure of Tre White and Morez Johnson Jr.

Rodgers averaged 6.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg, and 2.0 assists in 17.4 minutes per game during the 2023-24 season. It is important to note that during the six-game stretch in which Terrence Shannon Jr. was suspended during the 2023-2024 season, Rodgers averaged  10.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game.  

What’s next?

Ty Rodgers will have a role on this upcoming team. That was not the case prior to the 2024-2025 season and ultimately Rodgers decided to redshirt. Freshman standout Will Riley and transfer guard Tre White were higher up on the pecking order, given their offensive versatility and ability to spread the floor. Whether Rodgers’ work on his jump shot will translate to game time remains to be seen. However, he will have a role as a physical, athletic, and veteran, which this team will sorely need. Watching him and Kylan Boswell defend on the perimeter will certainly give the Illini an identity. Remember, Boswell and Rodgers both represented the Illini at the 2024 Big Ten Media day.

Rodgers will also play well as an off-ball cutter and slasher to the rim as the offense runs through Tomislav Ivisic. Overall, this is exciting news for Illinois and news that somewhat engrains Ty Rodgers as a fan favorite now.

This was Ty Rodgers a few years ago, we need him playing with this confidence next year pic.twitter.com/tGP8c20P8K

— Armchair Illinois (@ArmchairIllini) April 2, 2025

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