Breaking news: Illini junior winger Ty Rodgers is taking the redshirt season

When Illinois takes on EIU in its season opener on Monday night at State Farm Center, it will be without junior swingman Ty Rodgers. Rodgers has elected to sit out the 2024-25 season and redshirt, school sources confirmed to Orange and Blue News.

Rodgers, a 6-foot-2 junior, was expected to be a veteran presence for a rebuilding Illinois roster that features 10 newcomers. Rodgers and sophomore guard Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn were the team’s only returning players, finishing 29-9 and reaching the Elite 8.

Rodgers started all 38 games and ranked fifth on the team in scoring with 6.2 points per game and third on the team in rebounding with 5.3 rebounds per game. Led the Illini in scoring and ranked ninth in the Big Ten with 87 offensive rebounds (2.3 per game).

Illinois signed Rodgers in the class of 2022 out of Thornton Township High School in Harvey, Illinois. Rivals.com ranked him as a four-star prospect and No. 61 nationally. Originally from Saginaw, Michigan, he is transferring to Thornton for his senior season of high school.

Rodgers was recruited to Illinois by former assistant coach Tim Anderson, who left the program in September. Anderson had connections to Rodgers through the Chicago-based Meanstreets program, a Nike EYBL club.

Rodgers came off the bench in the Illini’s exhibition game against Ole Miss last weekend. Louisville native Tre White started at small forward, and Rodgers also competed with highly regarded freshman Will Riley for playing time.