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Illinois Basketball: 5 biggest surprises for the Illini in 2017-2018

By Rees Woodcock

PISCATAWAY, NJ - FEBRUARY 25: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood during the first half of the College Basketball Game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 25, 2018, at the Louis Brown Athletic Center in Piscataway, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - FEBRUARY 25: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood during the first half of the College Basketball Game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 25, 2018, at the Louis Brown Athletic Center in Piscataway, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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PISCATAWAY, NJ – FEBRUARY 25: Leron Black
PISCATAWAY, NJ – FEBRUARY 25: Leron Black /

2. Leron Black declared for the NBA

There weren’t a lot of bright spots for the Illinois basketball team as they marched to a 14-18 record overall. I loved how a few players played, though. Leron Black was one of those talented players who came through for the Illini.

As a redshirt sophomore, Black had a good season averaging 8.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. You could see the potential but he just wasn’t breaking out yet. That is when Brad Underwood stepped in and Black shined under his tutelage.

Black finished this past season averaging 15.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. He led the team in both rebounds and points and was projected to be a dominating force for the Illini next season. But, toward the end of the season, there were rumblings about him potentially becoming a graduate transfer and leaving the program.

These rumblings made me nervous. And then it finally happened. Black decided to leave the program. Where did he go you may ask? He didn’t become a graduate transfer. Instead, he declared for the NBA Draft. He is going to test the ranks of the elite college players to see if he can sneak into one of the two rounds in the upcoming draft.

Black declaring for the NBA was a shock to me. I think he should stay another year in college no matter where he goes. If he can put up the numbers he put up this season and he is winning, then I think he is a surefire first-round pick. I am not sure how high he will be drafted now. I hope nothing but the best for Black, though. The kid has talent.

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