What does the return of Ayo Dosunmu mean to me?
By Zain Bando
As a journalism student and fan, what does Ayo Dosunmu returning mean to me?
For some of you, you may know that outside of contributing for the Writing Illini, I am entering my junior year at Illinois as a journalism student in the College of Media.
During my time in Champaign, I have been to countless games at State Farm Center, win or lose. I have also grown accustomed to having players in the classes I attend. Names like Da’Monte Williams, Trent Frazier, and Ayo Dosunmu are just a few of the athletes I’ve had the pleasure of sharing the classroom with.
https://twitter.com/zainbando99/status/1289758043803025408?s=21
However, the one that I felt the closest connection to was Ayo. He was a quiet kid, not one to say much at all. What he did have, though, was a heart. I had just come out of the dining hall one winter afternoon in January of 2019, and after some pleasantries, he left me with this message, which I later tweeted.
https://twitter.com/zainbando99/status/1092556826816774146?s=21
The date was February 4, 2019. You may remember that this is the same week that the Orange and Blue took down Michigan State, which was one of the few bright spots of the 2018-2019 season, and a sign of things to come.
It’s unfortunate to never know what would have happened in March of this year had COVID-19 never rocked the world, but rest assured, the Big Ten goes through Champaign-Urbana. This is Illinois’ version of “The Last Dance,” and I am all-in for it.
Will we have a 2020 season?
Illini lineup with Ayo Dosunmu, Kofi Cockburn returning. dark. Next
I am holding out hope that yes, we will. Every 16 years, Illinois makes a Final Four appearance, and this is arguably the best team since 2005. Brad Underwood has done a remarkable job throughout his tenure, and if a season were to happen, it would most certainly be his best coaching job. Only time will tell, as the countdown has officially begun.