In news that should come as a surprise to absolutely no one, Illinois' point guard situation is a relative unknown for next season. With Jaylon Tate's status still up in the air, Tracy Abrams may be John Groce's only returning lead guard -- and he's missed the last two seasons with injury.
Luckily, the Fighting Illini have a four-star freshman on the way in Te'Jon Lucas (Milwaukee, WI). The class-of-2016 guard committed to Illinois back in September over Southern Cal and Old Dominion; he was also receiving interest from other schools like Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Texas, Butler, and California.
#Illinois bound Te’Jon Lucas (@too_smoove23) Has TRUE Point Guard Talent; OFFICIAL Senior Year Mixtapehttps://t.co/ANDolG8DpC
— MIDWESTBALLERS.COM (@Midwest_Ballers) March 20, 2016
Lucas went down with a season-ending right foot injury in February while playing Champaign Centennial at Parkland College. Despite missing the final month of the year, the six-foot-one prospect was still named the Milwaukee City Conference's Co-Player of the Year after averaging 20.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 2.8 steals per game.
The good news for the Illini? Lucas is expected to make a full recovery by the start of the 2016-17 season.