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Former Illinois basketball fan favorite dealt another career blow with new team

The long and treacherous road for Ty Rodgers continues at Boise State as the former Illini suffered another devastating injury during a workout.
ByKellen Sherman|
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Mar 30, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Ty Rodgers (20) dribbles the ball against the Connecticut Huskies in the finals of the East Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Mar 30, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Ty Rodgers (20) dribbles the ball against the Connecticut Huskies in the finals of the East Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images | Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Former Illinois basketball wing Ty Rodgers is now with a different team, but he can't hide from the injury monster.

The Saginaw, Michigan, product quickly became a fan-favorite for the Illini through his immense toughness and grit on the court. But his career unfortunately derailed after his first two seasons with the program through a gruesome knee injury, as well as a transfer to Boise State.

It was tough to see a member of our 'famILLy' go, but Rodgers left such a lasting impression to the point Illinois fans want nothing but the best for him. When the news of Rodgers' injury with Boise State became public, the Champaign faithful were left absolutely gutted.

Rodgers was poised to be a major piece of Boise State's roster this season after the Broncos lost all five of their starters from a year ago. According to Bob Lundeberg of SI.com, Rodgers was the highest-rated transfer for Boise State and was expected to start alongside North Dakota State transfer Damari Wheeler-Thomas.

Sadly, that may not be the case, as the surgery to repair Rodgers' reported 'lower-body injury' is expected to keep him out for the entire 2026-27 season. But we will have to wait for further updates to see if that's the case.

Ty Rodgers can't catch a break, and it has left Illinois basketball fans in shock and despair

As previously stated, the Illini faithful wanted nothing more than for Rodgers to succeed in his new home with the Broncos. He gave so much to the Illinois program as the team's glue guy to the point where he became a lifelong member of our famILLy.

That is why when the news broke of his most recent injury, it left the Illini Nation in a bit of a somber mood. Rodgers deserves so much more than to sit on the bench for another year. This was supposed to be a step in the right direction for the young man, but now he will have to wait another year for his return to action.

As a lifelong fan of the Illinois program, I hope for nothing but the best for Rodgers in his recovery at Boise State. This man has so much to give to the great sport of basketball, and like many other Illinois fans, I hope he can find that success in his final two years of eligibility.

Stay strong, Ty! I-L-L

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