Trent Frazier returning to Illinois for fifth season

Illinois’ Trent Frazier will use his COVID-eligible season and return for a fifth year with Brad Underwood and the Illini.

Frazier had declared for the NBA Draft on April 9 and said he was hiring a “NCAA approved agent,” meaning he was maintaining his college eligibility.

After a short time testing those waters, Frazier has decided rather than leaving school or transferring, he’ll run it back one more time with the Illini.

We all know Trent has the ability to be a lethal scorer, but it was his defense that caught eyes en route to an All-Big Ten honorable mention honor this season. Looking at next year’s roster, there’s certainly a place for Trent’s leadership, scoring and defense in the starting lineup, alongside Andre Curbelo in the backcourt.

We’re still waiting on Illinois’ other senior, Da’Monte Williams, to make a decision on if he will return. Giorgi Bezhanishvili and Ayo Dosunmu have already declared for the Draft, while Adam Miller announced his intent to transfer. It’s still unknown if anyone else will transfer or if someone else (like Kofi Cockburn) will test the draft waters.

This roster goes at least 10-11 deep and shouldn’t be of a drop off in talent, if any. If Williams and Cockburn return, this is a stacked lineup.