Illinois Basketball: 5 thoughts from the Illini box score against the Madrid All-Stars

5. Ty Rodgers is giving me Draymond Green vibes

I believe Illinois has a really special player in Ty Rodgers. This kid isn’t just a regular solid player who was a solid recruit. I think the sky is the limit for Rodgers.

Last season, we got to see glimpses of what Rodgers could bring to the court. He would only average 3.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game, but Rodgers was an athletic freak who could rebound with the best of the best.

In the final 12 games of his freshman season, Rodgers would bump those numbers up. He would average 5.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. He would also shoot 56.9% from the field in this stretch.

When I see what Rodgers can do on the court, his game reminds me a lot of someone like Draymond Green. Now, I believe Rodgers is way more athletically gifted than Green, especially in college, but the do-it-all skillset mixed in with the ability to rebound at a shorter height is very similar.

Both Green and Rodgers are roughly 6-foot-6. These two can mold into whatever the team needs them to be too. They are great weapons to have on the court.

Against the Madrid All-Stars, Rodgers showed his all-around ability once again. He would finish the game with seven points, nine rebounds, and two assists while shooting 3-of-5 from the floor.

The shooting still definitely needs to improve, as Rodgers was only 1-of-5 from the free throw line, but he is going to be an amazing asset to the Illini this season.