July 29--For a second straight season, Illinois will be without veteran point guard Tracy Abrams.
The team announced Tuesday that Abrams will be sidelined for the entire 2015-16 season with a torn left Achilles' tendon. The Illini eagerly anticipated his return after he sat out all of last season with a knee injury.
Abrams, a Mount Carmel graduate, suffered the tear at Monday's practice as the team prepares for a European tour of competition from Aug. 9-19.
"First of all, my heart goes out to Tracy," coach John Groce said in the statement. "He went through so much the last 10 months fighting back from a torn ACL. ... (But) Tracy has the heart of a champion, and I know he will handle this latest setback with the same courage and resolve in making a full recovery."
Abrams, a redshirt senior, has not decided whether he will petition the NCAA for a sixth season to complete his eligibility, a school spokesman said. He will undergo surgery Aug. 5 and be unavailable to travel with the team.
He started every game as a junior and averaged 10.7 points per game.
His injury leaves the Illini thin at point guard, just as the other one did a season ago when it proved to be detrimental to the team.
Jaylon Tate likely will assume the position again this season. He started 13 games and averaged 3.6 points per game as a sophomore.
Ahmad Starks and Rayvonte Rice also shared time at point guard, but both have graduated.
Combo-guard Jalen Coleman-Lands also could help with ball-handling duties, but the freshman is out for an undetermined length of time with a left leg stress fracture.
sryan@tribpub.com
