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Illinois Basketball: Illini lose Leron Black to the NBA Draft

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 22: Illinois Fighting Illini forward Leron Black (12) boxes out under the basket during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 22, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 22: Illinois Fighting Illini forward Leron Black (12) boxes out under the basket during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 22, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Illinois basketball team took a big blow today with the departure of their best player.

I really wish I didn’t have to type this, but Leron Black has declared for the NBA Draft and will sign an agent. As an Illinois fan and someone who wants to see the best for Black, I support this decision. If this makes him happy, and he thinks he can make some dough while sticking in the league then go for it. I will be Team Black for the rest of his career.

On the Illinois basketball fan side of things, honestly, I am devastated. This is a huge blow to the team next season considering Black was the best player on the team and was likely to be the best player on the team again. He is a player who would likely have been First-Team All-Big Ten if the Illini were good this past season.

Black’s career trajectory is exactly what you want in a player on the basketball court. He averaged 5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game in year one. He was redshirted year two due to injuries. He then came back from the injuries and averaged 8.1 points and 5.2 rebounds during his redshirt sophomore campaign.

Last season, Black had his best campaign putting up 15.3 points and 5.2 rebounds while being the leader of this Illini team. I didn’t think he would go to the NBA after this season. I thought a graduate transfer was a more likely possibility but I was wrong. Now the Illini are looking for answers at the No. 4.

There are a few options out there for the Illini right now. They already snagged a big man to play the No. 5 in Samba Kane. That is great for the team. Black leaving might open the door for junior college transfer Austin Trice. He is putting up big-time numbers at the JUCO level and is getting recruiting attention from a multitude of programs.

I think that is the best route right now. There is always the graduate transfer option as well. I think Illinois will dip into that pool. Illinois could also go small and run three guards and wing with Kane at the No. 5. That lineup would be Frazier, Lucas, Dosunmu, Nichols and Kane. The depth would hurt them. Illinois could also snag another top 100 guard as well. There is plenty of room for Courtney Ramey or Tevian Jones.

Next: Which Illini players hit expectations in 2017-2018

The Illini took a hit today with Black declaring for the NBA Draft. I wish him nothing but the best, but Illinois is now looking for answers.

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