CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In college athletics, loyalty seems to have taken a backseat to the pursuit of talent. Illinois fans may be disheartened by the recent exodus of players through the NCAA Transfer Portal, but let us dissect the situation with a dose of reality.
The rules are clear: players have the freedom to transfer at will after each year, with this year's deadline set for May 1, 2024. For many fans accustomed to the days of players staying put for more than two years, this new era of player mobility seems disheartening.
"I bought a Skyy Clark jersey; we drove to Champaign to get it signed by him. Now looking back on it, what a waste of time and $75 for the 13 games he played in," said Illini supporter Mitch Phillips, echoing the sentiments of many frustrated fans.
This offseason has seen Illinois bid farewell to several players through the portal, including Luke Goode, Dain Dainja, Amani Hansberry, and red-shirt guard Sencire Harris. Yet, before you think there is no way to recover, consider their collective scoring of 17.9 points per game, not a significant loss.
But a new and talented group of players has already committed to Illinois. Point guard Kylan Boswell (9.6 ppg), forward Jake Davis (9.0 ppg), forward Tre White (12.9 ppg) and wing Carey Booth (6.4 ppg) bring a combined scoring total of 37.9 points per game. And with several more recruits expected to join next year's roster, the Illini are poised for another good season.
Bidding farewell to players cheered on through 38 games is a bitter pill to swallow. Today's heroes may be tomorrow's transfers, and while change may be unsettling, it is a reality we must embrace, at least for now.
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