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Illinois Basketball: 5 transfers that would help the Illini

By Rees Woodcock

Feb 4, 2017; Morgantown, WV, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood celebrates with fans after beating the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Morgantown, WV, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood celebrates with fans after beating the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 22, 2017; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears center Kameron Rooks (44) celebrates after a basket and foul against the Oregon Ducks during the second half at Haas Pavilion. The Ducks won 68-65. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2017; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears center Kameron Rooks (44) celebrates after a basket and foul against the Oregon Ducks during the second half at Haas Pavilion. The Ducks won 68-65. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

C Kameron Rooks

The Illinois basketball team was reportedly going after former California head coach Cuonzo Martin before he took the Missouri job. I don’t know how much I believe of this but we might be able to get one of his former players, though.

Kameron Rooks announced that he will be transferring from the Golden Bears program. He will be graduating and eligible to play immediately. That is key for the Illini.

Rooks didn’t get much playing time the first two years he was with Cal. He only received 7 minutes per game in year one and averaged 1.3 points and 1.6 rebound per game. The following season he didn’t play at all due to a foot injury.

In his redshirt sophomore campaign, Rooks played 17.2 minutes per game and during that time he produced 3.6 points and 4.9 rebounds.

This past season was the best Rooks’ has had as a college basketball player. He saw about the same amount of minutes averaging 17.1 per game, but he put up 4.9 points and 4.5 rebounds in that time. This type of production would be big for the Illini.

If Illinois can get a guy who can play immediately and put up 5 points and 5 rebounds per game in a reserve role then I think the future is bright. Getting Rooks would accomplish that goal and he would help put the team back into the NCAA tournament.

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