VIDEO: Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn throws down poster dunk

Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn got his first career start today vs the Ohio State Buckeyes. Gibbs-Lawhorn has played extremely well leading up to this game and was consistently injecting life into this team off the bench. In his first go as a starter, Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn continued that same effect. Statistically, he put up 10 points. However, his consistent energy and leadership on the floor ignited his team towards victory. He consistently put pressure on the front of the rim which helped open the floor for Kylan Boswell and Tomislav Ivisic. The main highlight of the night and perhaps the season? That was Gibbs-Lawhorn‘s throwdown in transition where he essentially took off from right in front of the free throw line.

The throwdown electrified the crowd and made the State Farm Center pop like it has not for quite some time.

DGL refused to lose today 😤 #illini pic.twitter.com/7a5S28hdga

— 🆃ⓐ🅹🅷 ♕ (@Recru1t1ng_Guru) February 3, 2025

This DGL dunk‼️ 😲#B1GMBBall on CBS 📺 pic.twitter.com/JDe4FuL5vp

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 2, 2025

Juice at the right time

Gibbs-Lawhorn and Morez Johnson Jr. were the two that were inserted into the starting lineup today. It was certainly a gutsy move to replace two veterans in Kylan Boswell and Ben Humrichous, but the move seemed to have paid off. Boswell seemed to play with some extra juice coming off the bench after a few rather sloppy and underwhelming performances over the past two weeks. Freshman Will Riley also seemed to bring his A-game since he became the primary focus on the bench unit as opposed to DGL.

With Tomislav Ivisic surprisingly returning to the lineup after a two week battle with mono, the Illini now have hope again. Get ready as the season comes to a close, Illini fans. This team may just have one more electrifying run in the works.

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