Illinois Basketball: Trent Frazier announces return to Illini

Illinois basketball just received news that one of their biggest leaders over the past four years is returning to Champaign.

Via Twitter, Trent Frazier announced that he was returning for his final year with the Illini. This is big news considering the depth hit the team took with the departures of some pretty big players this offseason.

It is exciting to see Frazier coming back for one more season. He has been sensational since arriving in Champaign just four years ago. As a four-star out of Wellington, Florida, Frazier entered the Illini program with a lot of uncertainty. The coach he committed to was fired and a new head coach entered the scene. Frazier stuck with the Orange and Blue, though.

The career of Frazier has been pretty legendary. With career averages of 11.4 points, 2.6 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, Frazier goes down as one of the best to ever do it for the Illini, and he isn’t finished yet.

After his solid senior campaign, Frazier now sits with 1,434 points, which ranks No. 18 all-time in school history. He is pancaked between Jerry Hester and Frank Williams. He has hit 247 three-point shots in his career, which ranks No. 4 all-time in school history. Frazier’s defensive prowess is impressive, as he has a career total of 166 steals, which ranks No. 7 all-time in school history. I could continue on, but you get that this kid is special, and we get him for one more go.

What does Frazier bring back to the Illinois basketball program?

At this point, I believe Frazier could end up being the main scoring threat for the Illini. Ayo Dosunmu departing hurt Illinois, as he was the previous go-to guy when it came to scoring. But Andre Curbelo should make up Ayo’s production for the most part.

Adam Miller heading elsewhere is what really hut the Illini. Everyone expected Ayo, but Miller’s departure sent the lineup into a bit of a tailspin. Frazier should make up for whatever production Miller was providing.

I will come out with a projected lineup in a little bit, but just the fact Frazier is coming back should give Illinois fans some comfort. He was able to average 10.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game this past season as, at best, the third option on the Illini. I can’t wait to see what he can do as the main scorer.