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Illinois Basketball: A thank you to the Illini players who are leaving the program

By Rees Woodcock

Jan 11, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Trent Frazier (1) gathers guard Da'Monte Williams (20) and guard Alfonso Plummer (11) together during a break against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Trent Frazier (1) gathers guard Da'Monte Williams (20) and guard Alfonso Plummer (11) together during a break against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Illinois basketball
Dec 18, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) hugs teammate Da’Monte Williams (20) during the second half against the Saint Francis Red Flash at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

With great sorrow, the Illinois basketball season has come to an end in the Round of 32.

I think all Illini fans are disappointed with how the 2021-22 campaign came to an end. But disappointment in the result doesn’t mean we are disappointed with the players. I may have been hard on some players at times but they all mean the world to me.

Illinois basketball isn’t a hobby, it’s a lifestyle. I will cheer for the current and former players until the day I die. It is extremely sad the season is over, but what makes me even sadder is the fact an era is over.

There are a handful of players who are moving on after that loss to Houston. This loss signifies a change with the program, but I wanted to give the players who are leaving a thank you note. I want them to know that they mattered greatly to me as an Illinois fan.

Here is a thank you to the Illinois basketball players who are leaving the program.

Da’Monte Williams

It has been an incredibly long journey yet a short one all at the same time. It feels like Da’Monte Williams just entered the program in the last couple of years, but he has been with the team since 2017.

The run with Williams has officially come to an end, though. There is a lot that I appreciate about Williams being with the program, so let me start from the beginning.

I remember when Williams was first being recruited out of Manual High School in Peoria. He was a top 100 recruit at one time, but he dealt with injuries during his senior season. This dropped him in the rankings.

There were quite a few teams still after Williams in the recruiting game, though. One of the rumors that was out there was Williams had an interest in Indiana as a landing spot. He didn’t go to the Hoosiers, though. He picked Illinois.

Even with a coaching change that had a few Illini commits head elsewhere, Williams stayed committed to the Orange and Blue. He stuck with the program despite the coach who recruited him being fired. That is how much Williams bleeds Orange and Blue.

Williams was a part of the Illinois rebuild. He was truly committed to the program. He helped us win a Big Ten Tournament title and a Big Ten regular season title. With Williams, Illinois finished three-straight seasons ranked in the AP Top 25 and we made it to three NCAA tournaments and played in two.

Thank you, Da’Monte Williams, for everything you gave this program and this Illini fan. You have been a true class act through and through.

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