Illinois Basketball: 3 predictions for the Illini heading into the NBA Draft

3. Austin Hutcherson proves himself with the Utah Jazz Summer League

I believe both Kofi Cockburn and Alfonso Plummer are near locks to be with some franchise in the NBA within the next week. These two are too good to not be associated with an NBA team.

There is one sneaky former Illinois basketball player who kept his name in the NBA Draft mix instead of coming back to school. Austin Hutcherson decided to pursue his dreams and give the NBA a go.

Hutcherson has dealt with injuries ever since coming to Illinois. He was a star with Wesleyan University, as he could do everything on the basketball court. But injuries derailed his time with the Illini. He would only play in four games for the Orange and Blue while averaging 2.8 points and 2.0 rebounds per contest.

Despite the lack of time on the court at the DI level, there was one team who eyed Hutcherson this offseason. The Utah Jazz brought him in for a workout back on June 2. This was Hutcherson’s chance to shine.

With Hutcherson getting a workout, and him able to show off his abilities while healthy, I think the Jazz will bring him in for their Summer League. This will be a chance for Hutcherson to play with some of his peers and to prove that he can play NBA basketball.

This wouldn’t be the first time a former Illini player suited up in the Jazz Summer League. Deron Williams suited up for the Summer League back in 2005. Dee Brown and Roger Powell both suited up for the Utah Summer League in 2006. Hopefully, Hutcherson is next in line when it comes to the Summer League platform.