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Illinois basketball takes transfer portal blow as experienced guard bolts program

Brad Underwood has some serious work to do, as another Illinois basketball player has entered the transfer portal.
ByRees Woodcock|
Mar 23, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Morez Johnson Jr. (21) and Illinois Fighting Illini guard Tre White (22) react on the bench during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against the Kentucky Wildcats at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Mar 23, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Morez Johnson Jr. (21) and Illinois Fighting Illini guard Tre White (22) react on the bench during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against the Kentucky Wildcats at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The transfer portal is a crazy place, and honestly, it scares me when it comes to the Illinois basketball team.

We lost a big piece to the puzzle on Friday night when Morez Johnson Jr. decided to leave the program. The Illini could have used him, and he would have been an All-Big Ten caliber center for years to come.

The transfer portal wasn’t done, though. It wasn’t even 24 hours before the next big hit to the program happened.

On Saturday, Jeff Borzello of ESPN reported that Tre White has now entered the transfer portal. This is a surprising development that is going to hurt the Illini backcourt.

At the end of the day, this actually shouldn’t be that shocking. White is a bit of a nomad in the college game. The former four-star recruit started his time at USC. He spent one season there before departing for Louisville. After one season with the Cardinals, White then transferred into the Illinois program.

While at Illinois, White put up solid numbers. He averaged 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per contest while shooting a career-high 32.9% from three-point range. Now that the season is over, White is again on the move and will find a new home.

It is pretty clear that the Illinois basketball team is about to have a new look in 2025-26

White’s departure kind of makes me laugh at this point. Illinois had to completely restart the program after the Elite 8 run last year, and now it looks like we will have to do the same this time around.

Illinois’ backcourt will look completely different. Kasparas Jakucionis is likely going to the NBA. White is now gone. Kylan Boswell has mentioned he would stay or go pro, but at this point, who knows?

College basketball musical chairs continues on. White was like a shooting star, he was there and just like that, he is gone. Good luck to you in the future, sir. The transfer portal strikes again.

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