Ty Rodgers to redshirt during the 2023-24 season

Rodgers to use redshirt status

The Illinois Men’s Basketball team is preparing for the 2023-24 season. They will do so without Ty Rodgers, however, as the junior wing will redshirt during the upcoming season.

Rodgers is coming off an encouraging season, in which he averaged 5.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. He appeared in all 33 games last year, including 11 starts.

The decision

The decision for Rodgers to redshirt was made in order for him to develop physically after dealing with a hand injury that bothered him last season.

“Ty’s a guy who’s probably still growing into his body,” coach Underwood said. “He’s also coming off a hand injury, so we just felt like it was the right thing for him right now to kind of reassess where he’s at and bring him along slowly.”

Rodgers has the potential to be a key contributor for the Fighting Illini in the future. He is a versatile player who can play multiple positions and has a good outside shot.

With Rodgers redshirting, the Illini will have to rely on other players to step up in his absence. Luke Goode brings back the most experience to the wing position, but he is still relatively new to the team.

The Illini also have several other players who could step into the wing rotation, including freshman Jayden Epps and sophomore Kyler Edwards.

The Illini will begin their season on Nov. 7 against Eastern Illinois.