Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: Illini NBA Draft Prospects

By Rees Woodcock

Nov 18, 2015; Providence, RI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jalen Coleman-Lands (5) and guard Malcolm Hill (21) celebrate during the first half of a game against the Providence Friars at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2015; Providence, RI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jalen Coleman-Lands (5) and guard Malcolm Hill (21) celebrate during the first half of a game against the Providence Friars at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 7
Next
Mar 1, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Tracy Abrams (13) looks to pass the ball against Michigan State Spartans forward Gavin Schilling (34) during the 1st half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Tracy Abrams (13) looks to pass the ball against Michigan State Spartans forward Gavin Schilling (34) during the 1st half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Tracy Abrams

Tracy Abrams is a fan favorite.  He is the point guard we had at one time and yet we lost for two years.  He is now back, though, and Illinois has a chance at being a better team this season.

I think the importance of Abrams was clear of the last two seasons.  He went down with back-to-back injuries and the Illini kept falling.

Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois Fighting Illini /

Illinois Fighting Illini

Abrams managed to put up some pretty good numbers in 2013-14.  He averaged 30.1 MPG and scored at a clip of 10.7 PPG.  He was second on the team in scoring and led in assists with 3.2 APG.

Best Case

It is hard to judge the best case scenario with Abrams.  At one time his trajectory was pointing upward.  But with the injuries it has hurt his draft stock a lot.

I see the best case scenario for Abrams and the NBA Draft being a late second round pick.  This doesn’t mean Abrams is bad, it just means there are injuries he has to deal with and so do NBA franchises.

Worst Case

Abrams has dealt with some serious injuries in the last few years.  This could absolutely kill his draft stock purely based on a team not wanting to take a risk.

If Abrams stays healthy this season, the worst case scenario would be him trying out for a summer league team but eventually heading over and playing overseas.

Next: Malcolm Hill

Home/Illinois Fighting Illini