Tracy Abrams' second straight season-ending injury left a giant hole on the Illini basketball roster. And while that hole might not be able to be completely filled by anyone, John Groce added a veteran point guard on Saturday night.
La Salle transfer Khalid Lewis committed to Illinois on Saturday. He'll be immediately eligible as a graduate transfer.
Lewis posted on his Instagram page Saturday night: "It's a wrap. Headed to (the University of Illinois) for my last year. Time to go out with a bang!"
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Lewis averaged six points per game for the Explorers last season to go along with 2.2 assists per game and two rebounds per game in 27.5 minutes per game. He shot 37.4 percent from the field and 32.8 percent from 3-point range.
Lewis might not be able to take over the same role Abrams was expected to hold for the Illini this season, acting as the starting point guard and as a senior leader for a team short on veteran leadership. But Lewis does bring experience and could allow Jaylon Tate to better ease into the starting point guard role. Last season, Tate was thrust into the starting lineup and struggled as Abrams missed the season with a torn ACL. Lewis started 18 of 33 games for La Salle last season.