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Illinois Basketball: 5 biggest storylines for the Illini in 2019

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 14: The Illinois Fighting Illini huddle up before the game against the Old Dominion Monarchs at State Farm Center on December 14, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 14: The Illinois Fighting Illini huddle up before the game against the Old Dominion Monarchs at State Farm Center on December 14, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – DECEMBER 11: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates after the game against the Michigan Wolverines at State Farm Center on December 11, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – DECEMBER 11: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates after the game against the Michigan Wolverines at State Farm Center on December 11, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

1. He’s back!

Coming out of Morgan Park High School, everyone knew Ayo Dosunmu wasn’t going to spend much time in college. He even said it in his commitment speech that he was going to play one or two years in the college ranks.

After Ayo’s commitment to Illinois, he suited up for the Orange and Blue and showed why he was such a highly-rated recruit. He was able to average 13.8 points, 4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game in year one. His ability to move around the court and create shots was fun to watch despite the team struggling.

A player like Ayo coming out of high school ranked as the No. 32 player in his class tends to go to the NBA fairly quickly. Throughout that great freshman campaign, websites were toying around with the idea that he could get drafted if he came out in 2019.

With the prospects of the NBA waiting, it had to be tempting for a college kid to head to the Association. But, Illinois fans have experienced this with Leron Black, if you go too early, you could get lost in the mix. Thankfully, this led to Ayo returning for his sophomore campaign. On April 19, 2019, he made it official with an announcement of his return.

Illinois got their man back. Since announcing his return, the Illini have started the 2019-2020 campaign off with an 8-4 record. He is averaging 16.3 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Ayo could really boost his draft stock with a solid sophomore campaign. He could also help lead this team back to the postseason.

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