Illinois Basketball: Illini guard Jacob Grandison withdraws from NBA Draft

Illinois basketball might have another scholarship taken up with a familiar name potentially returning.

The Illini offseason has been crazy with numerous players graduating or entering the transfer portal. We have had various players join the program as well, including Skyy Clark, Terrence Shannon Jr., and Matthew Mayer.

There are also a couple of transfer portal options who might be suited well for the Orange and Blue. But while we might not be done adding players from the transfer portal, Illinois could be bringing back a familiar face to take up one of the final two scholarships.

On Sunday morning, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reported that Illini guard Jacob Grandison has withdrawn his name from the 2022 NBA Draft. This comes as a shocker to me, as he was a part of the senior day festivities for the Illini. But it now looks like the super-senior could be returning for one more year.

Illinois basketball is going to be loaded with experience for the 2022-23 campaign.

I am going to admit when I am wrong. This offseason, I had Austin Hutcherson returning to the Illinois basketball team and Grandison departing. Hutcherson hadn’t played but a few games for the program, and Grandison seemed like he was clearly on his way out the door.

But it is now the complete opposite of what I thought. Hutcherson remained in the NBA Draft and Grandison has pulled his name out. That is a shocker to me.

This is great for the Orange and Blue, though. If Grandison does rejoin the Illini, this gives the program so much experience and depth.

I am curious to see what Brad Underwood does with the starting lineup after adding Grandison back into the mix. I honestly believe Grandison could end up coming off the bench for his final season. He would get solid playing time, but I have him being the sixth man for the team.

Grandison withdrawing his name from the NBA Draft is amazing for Illinois basketball. We have an embarrassment of riches on this team. From top to bottom, I have never seen more talent in the history of the Illini program.