NCAA News Wire
Illini lose injured PG Abrams for season
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
Illinois will be without its starting point guard from last season after senior Tracy Abrams suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during a preseason workout.
Abrams was one of three returning starters from the 2013-14 team who were expected to lead the Fighting Illini this season. He averaged 10.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists last season.
“Tracy worked hard in the offseason to put himself in great position heading into his senior year, so he’s obviously disappointed, and we are for him as well,” Illinois coach John Groce said. “But Tracy personifies toughness; he has the heart of a champion, and I know that he will only come back stronger from this experience when he returns to the court next year.
“In the meantime, he will continue to play a vital role for our program with his leadership.”
The 6-foot-2 Abrams will take a medical redshirt and be back for the 2015-16 season. He is awaiting surgery on the knee.
Expected to take over at point guard this year is Oregon State transfer Ahmad Starks, who averaged 10.4 points and 2.2 assists per game in three seasons with the Beavers.
The Fighting Illini also have redshirt junior Aaron Cosby, a transfer from Seton Hall, and sophomore Jaylon Tate who can play the point.
