CHAMPAIGN — Illinois redshirt junior Ty Rodgers will be out indefinitely following an offseason knee injury he sustained during a pickup basketball game in his hometown, head coach Brad Underwood announced on Monday.
Rodgers’ injury will require surgery, according to Underwood, who did not offer specifics of the knee injury. The injury is concerning enough for Underwood to announce it during the summer with some four months before preseason begins.
“He will be out indefinitely and will have to have some surgery to do some repairs,” Underwood said. “We’ll know more as that process goes on. He’s right now still in Michigan and going through some of that.”
Rodgers elected to take a redshirt last season and announced his return to Illinois for his fourth season in college. He’s a vocal leader on the team with positional versatility at guard or forward.
As a sophomore in 2023-24, Rodgers started all 38 games for an Illini team that advanced to the Elite Eight, though he did not announce publicly why he elected to redshirt the following season. Rodgers averaged 6.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 17.4 minutes during that season.
Rodgers has not been a strong shooter to this point in his college career (one 3-pointer attempted), but at 6-foot-6, he has shown the ability to impact games both from an athletic and rebounding standpoint.
Rodgers’ return was key for Illinois in its player retention following the season as well as adding toughness, athleticism, rebounding and leadership.
Returning wing Jake Davis could earn more playing time if Rodgers’ injury impacts his availability for the season. Incoming freshmen Brandon Lee and Keaton Wagler may also have a better chance to earn a role.
“Ty’s a voice who even last year, his redshirt year, was very dominant,” Underwood said. “That will be back and with us. We’ll see what the process, where it takes us. Very excited about this group of freshmen. We obviously have one (Mihailo Petrovic) that we haven’t announced who is out there and Brandon (Lee) and Keaton (Wagler) will have great opportunities. Unfortunately, injuries are a part of it.”
Illinois has added Zvonimir Ivisic and David Mirkovic to its frontcourt to pair with returning center Tomislav Ivisic. The Illini also return Ben Humrichous and added forward Andrej Stojakovic. Kylan Boswell returns at point guard and Illinois has a commitment from Mihailo Petrovic, though the program has yet to announce his signing as it works through adding him as an international player.
Illinois does have an additional spot available on its roster, though Underwood did not sound inclined to add to his roster in light of Rodgers’ injury.
“We’ll see. I’m not going to fill it just to fill it,” Underwood said. “We’ll see what happens. We’ll see what’s out there. We’ve never stopped, truthfully, not looking, but we’re not going to be reckless in terms of what we do. We’re going to make sure it’s the right fit, if there is one.
“We were good with where we were out. There was always if there was the availability of the right piece then you take that.”
Rodgers was expected to be a versatile part of the Illini rotation and Underwood in April said he expected Rodgers to be as versatile as any player in the Big Ten.
All of that remains, at least for the time being, on pause as Rodgers goes through the next steps in terms of surgery and more clarity on the nature and recovery timeline of his injury become available.
Rodgers was a late decision to redshirt last season and has not played in a non-exhibition game since an Elite Eight loss to UConn on March 30, 2024.
“There’s no doubt it’s tough for him,” Underwood said. “You redshirt, you put in a lot of work and when you’re an ultimate competitor like him, there’s going to be some challenges in front of him. He’s been in good spirits and handling it the best he can. We’ll get him back here as soon as we can and get him under our medical care and get him part of readjusting with this group. I’m sure it’s pretty challenging when you have something that sets you back.”
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