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Former Illinois guard Kendrick Nunn transferring to Oakland to finish career

The senior will finish his career in the Horizon League.

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

According to Joe Henricksen, former Fighting Illini basketball shooting guard Kendrick Nunn is transferring to Oakland (Rochester, MI) in order to finish his collegiate career. The senior was dismissed from the program last month after pleading guilty to a single count of misdemeanor battery; he was accused of hitting a woman in the head, pushing her to the ground, and pouring water on her.

After sitting out the 2016-17 season, Nunn will have one year of eligibility remaining. Here's what Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman had to say after deciding to cut ties with the senior standout.

"We have made the decision to dismiss Kendrick Nunn from the men's basketball team, effective immediately. We have not reached this decision easily; we care deeply about Kendrick and want him to be successful. But after extensive deliberation, we think it best for our program to reaffirm our core values of trust and respect, to send a strong message about what is acceptable behavior for our student-athletes at the University of Illinois, and to part ways with Kendrick. As it is on college campuses across the country, relationship violence is of significant concern at our University, and we expect Fighting Illini student-athletes to be leaders in promoting healthy, respectful, caring relationships. We wish Kendrick all the best as he prepares for the next chapter of his life."

Nunn absolutely didn't deserve a second chance at Illinois, but it was only a matter of time until he received another opportunity. He averaged 15.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 42.8% from the field during the 2015-16 season, so Oakland is getting an All-Big Ten caliber player.