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Adam Miller enters transfer portal

The first domino of the offseason falls.

NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament-Drexel at Illinois Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Wow. Didn’t see that coming.

It’s not an April Fools’ Day prank, Illinois has confirmed Adam Miller has entered his name in the NCAA transfer portal.

This come less than two weeks after the Illini were upset by Loyola Chicago in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

The shocking announcement comes after a season where Miller averaged 8.3 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. The guard had 13 games in double-figures, including a 28-point — freshman record breaking — outing in his first career game.

“Adam was a big part of our success this season, starting every game as a freshman and contributing not just on offense but defensively as well,” said head coach Brad Underwood in a statement. “He has a very bright future ahead, and we wish him all the best.”

Miller won a IHSA State Championship with Ayo Dosunmu at Morgan Park high school, and followed in Dosunmu’s shoes by commuting to Illinois at the Jordan Brand store in Chicago and coming to Champaign.

But unlike Dosunmu, who came back to Illinois after both his freshman and sophomore season to do more for the program, Miller will be pursuing another opportunity.

For Illinois, the Illini will return Andre Curbelo and have freshman Luke Goode coming aboard to likely fill the guard positions. Transfer guard Austin Hutcherson return from injury becomes a key storyline to watch this offseason as well.

While it seems all but a sure thing that Dosunmu moves on the yhe NBA, the Illini do not know whether Trent Frazier will exercise his COVID-19 year of eligibility and return for a fifth season. With some scholarships available, expect Illinois to push hard to recruit Ty-Ty Washington or Brandin Podziemski to the class of 21 or explore the transfer portal to land some help at guard.

Miller’s announcement means it’s possible the Illini lose all five starters from their opening-day lineup (Dosunmu, Frazier, Miller, Kofi Cockburn and Da’Monte Williams).