Former Illinois Mr. Basketball Mark Smith to transfer

Following a disappointing season, former 2017 Mr. Basketball Mark Smith and his family have decided to move on from the Illinois basketball program.

Smith was a heralded recruit that chose Illinois over programs such as Ohio State, Michigan State, Missouri, Duke and Kentucky. He was the name recruit in the class of 2017 for Brad Underwood in his first months on the job.

Smith struggled as a freshman and fell out of the starting lineup. Smith started 19 of the first 22 games, but did not start the last 10 games as his play had suffered and he battled illness.

For the season, Smith averaged 5.8 PPG, 1.4 RPG, and 1.4 APG, while shooting 33.7% from the floor overall and 23.2% from 3 point range in his lone season with the Illini.

Throughout the season his struggles were widely reported and also the unhappiness within his camp, particularly his parents. Smith reportedly cleaned out his locker on Sunday and met with members of athletic administration on Monday morning.

Illinois is expected to give Smith his release on Tuesday or Wednesday.

The loss of Smith opens up an opportunity for incoming freshman guard Alan Griffin to possibly earn some early playing time, and more opportunity for sophomore Da'Monte Williams.

Sources close to the Illinois program also expect there to be as many as four other players transferring out of the program following the 14-18 season.

Smith is the first, but it now becomes clear why the Illini have handed out so any offers despite having just 2 openings on paper for 2018.