April 18--Illinois has found a big man to fill avoid next season.
Mike Thorne, Jr., a 6-foot-11 graduate student transfer from Charlotte, committed to Illinois, according to reports.
He averaged 10.1 points and 7.3 rebounds last season. He is available to play immediately at Illinois, helping ease the loss of graduated Nnanna Egwu.
Thorne also considered Kansas and Kentucky.