The offseason can be difficult at times, and the Illinois basketball team is going through that right now.
While recruiting is always a grind, you always hope you can staff a full roster in case of an injury or two. On Monday, Illini head coach Brad Underwood broke some major news on the injury front.
In a chat with the media, Underwood told the Illinois fanbase that Ty Rodgers is out indefinitely with an injury. He later states that the injury is to the knee, and that Rodgers has had surgery and is in Michigan right now.
Underwood didn’t give an exact time frame for Rodgers’ return or if it could be this season, but from the sound of it, Rodgers might be done for the 2025-26 campaign. Underwood does state, “it’s an injury that will require some time away…”
Brad Underwood on Ty Rodgers' injury and what it means for the #Illini: pic.twitter.com/uFkKHoqvFS
— Glenn Kinley (@glenn_kinley) June 16, 2025
The journey for Rodgers has been an interesting one at Illinois, to say the least. He started out in 2022-23 playing solid minutes off the bench. Rodgers then became a pivotal force in an Elite 8 run in 2023-24, averaging 6.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.
Last season, Rodgers took a redshirt. The improvements and selflessness should have been on display this upcoming season, but now that looks like it will have to wait.
Illinois basketball will continue to be impacted positively by Ty Rodgers
This is devastating news. Rodgers is someone who fans can easily rally around, and he is a fun player to watch. I was really looking forward to seeing him on the court and how much he had improved from years past.
Rodgers’ impact has been felt on this team on and off the court, and I fully expect that to continue.
On the court, the last time we saw Rodgers play, he was top five on the team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. But his impact off the floor might be even more impressive.
While redshirting, Rodgers was always rallying the troops. You would see him on the bench cheer for the team and players. He would come into games with specific t-shirts on that had one of his teammates on it.
Underwood even touched on his impact to the team last season in the media availability today.
“Ty is a voice that, even last year, his redshirt year, was very dominant. That will be back with us,” said Underwood.
From a fans perspective, this is extremely sad, but Rodgers is an Illini for life, through and through. He picked us over everyone else. He could have transferred after his freshman season of not starting a single game, but he didn’t.
Rodgers could have transferred and cashed in after the Elite 8 run. That would have been the perfect moment, but he didn’t. Illinois went out and got all of that talent after nearly everyone left the team during the 2024 offseason. Rodgers came back and took a redshirt to save a year and stay with the program.
This offseason, Rodgers had another opening. He saved a year of eligibility and improved under Illinois’ watch. Instead of transferring, he remained committed to the team.
I don’t think players realize how much it matters to fans if you stick around. At the end of the day, I don’t know how Rodgers’ journey will end. He could very well transfer out and find a new start. I wouldn’t blame him one bit. Regardless, this kid holds a special place in the hearts of many Illinois basketball fans.