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Illinois Basketball: What the return of Da’Monte Williams means for Illini

By Rees Woodcock

Mar 2, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Adam Miller (44) Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jacob Grandison (3) and Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da'Monte Williams (20) celebrate during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Adam Miller (44) Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jacob Grandison (3) and Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da'Monte Williams (20) celebrate during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Huge news for the future of the Illinois basketball program dropped on Wednesday night.

Coming off a magical season where the Illini finished with the most wins in the Big Ten, a Big Ten Tournament title and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, the program has gone through some major changes.

The loss of Ayo Dosunmu and, potentially, Kofi Cockburn is going to hurt the Illini. We also lost Adam Miller to the transfer portal. But, as all of that was happening, there started to trickle in some good news. A few big-time recruits committed to the program. Trent Frazier then decided to return to Champaign. And, on Wednesday night, Illini Nation received notice that Da’Monte Williams was running it back.

Via his Instagram page, Williams announced his return to the Illini. I was 50-50 on whether or not he was going to return to Illinois for his COVID year, but the questions have been answered. Brad Underwood is now getting back one of the best defensive players in the country, and that is dangerous for the Big Ten.

What does Williams’ return to the Illinois basketball team mean?

Well, this doesn’t change the scholarship count at all. The COVID year players, while on scholarship, don’t count against a team’s scholarship count, which means we still have two scholarships left to fill for the upcoming season.

I will come out with a projected lineup here in a little bit, but this move also changes that lineup. Williams has a ton of experience and, as previously mentioned, he is an ace defender. His defense alone will enable him to see a ton of minutes and maybe even a starting spot.

Illinois’ defense was going to struggle this upcoming season. Trent Frazier did return, but the Illini were going to be inexperienced at most positions, or they would have a lot of new faces who hadn’t gelled together yet. But, with Williams returning, he will make it easier for everyone to play together because he can make up for a lot of defensive deficiencies.

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I believe Illinois fans should be excited about Williams returning to Champaign. His presence will help make us a contender in the conference and for a top-six seed in the NCAA tournament.

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