CHAMPAIGN – The College Basketball Appreciation Tour begins sometime this fall for sixth-year Illini guard Tracy Abrams.

Actually, that’s not true. If you believe what he’s saying, a player who suffered through back-to-back season-ending injuries has been enjoying the whole thing. There was a knee injury that kept him out two years ago, then an Achilles injury last summer that parked him for another 12 months. After receiving a waiver from the NCAA for a sixth year, Abrams is close to returning at full speed.

Bad behavior? Bad attitude? Not from Abrams, the guy who was voted as the team MVP as a freshman in the 2011-12 season. Maybe it’s just me, but that seem like a hell of a long time ago.

“Honestly, I took it as a blessing,’’ Abrams said Thursday before an Illini workout. “If I’ve got to be here, then I’m going to be here and soak it all in.’’

Abrams is a breath of fresh air, a team player who has been about winning rather than personal glory. While Illinois’ image was arrested and dragged into Champaign County Circuit Court over the last few months, Abrams just wanted to get back on the Ubben Basketball Complex Court and get the Illini back to winning.

The last guy from the Bruce Weber Era -- unless you count Malcolm Hill, who first committed to the Illini with Weber as coach – Abrams is the feel good story this fall for the Illini. No matter if the Illini reach postseason and save the job of coach John Groce or not, watching Abrams’ return as a 24-year-old who turns 25 in February and his perseverance is a nice diversion.

If the Illini want to make some noise this winter, Abrams plays a key role for a team lacking experience at guard. A coach on the floor earlier in his career and an extra coach on the sidelines the last two seasons, Abrams already put the past in the past. He’s not worried about anything but playing ball.

Abrams hasn’t stepped back on the court concerned about another injury.

“I can’t worry about that,’’ he said. “The body is a mind of its own. All I can do is control what I can control. I’m very happy, blessed and appreciative. Obviously, it’s exciting to be able to compete again. I’m taking it all in.’’

Remember, the College Basketball Appreciation Tour began in 2011 for Abrams, who committed to the Illini as a Chicago Mount Carmel High School sophomore in 2008. That’s just two years after Dee Brown finished his Illini career.

Eight years later, Dee completed his career and now works on the Illini basketball staff, and Abrams is still here. His classmates (Nnanna Egwu, Myke Henry, Mike Shaw, etc.) are long gone. Heading into one last summer offseason, Abrams doesn’t have time to get sentimental. He’s having too much of a good time after all that time away from the game.

“Obviously, it was hard for me,’’ Abrams said. “It’s all about what you feed the mind. I knew I couldn’t give into the situation. I knew it would take me time to heal. I try to stay motivated. I had a lot of support to get me through it. I relied on my faith, teammates, family and friends. They did a good job and kept me motivated.’’

While all eyes might be on Abrams during the summer workouts, preseason conditioning and early-season action, he’s not overly concerned about his body holding up. He tore the ACL on his right knee in the fall before his senior year in 2014. When Abrams appeared ready to return as the Illini were preparing for an overseas summer tour, Abrams tore the Achilles last July.

No matter his track record, Abrams is ready to get after it.

“I feel strong and confident,’’ Abrams said. “I’m pretty confident right now. I’m not really worried about nothing. I trust my rehab. I trust all the strength and conditioning, and I trust my game. It’s just a matter of time. I’m going to keep working, bank all the improvements and get better.’’

Groce is excited to get Abrams back on the court. The embattled coach can use all the help he can get. More importantly, Abrams is such a positive attitude that he’s infectious.

“Tracy is really doing well,’’ Groce said late last week. “Everything from a health perspective looks good. Physically, he’s ahead of schedule. He feels great. He feels strong. His body fat is 7 percent, the best it has ever been.

“With him, we’re being a little conservative. He’s getting more and more confidence in his body. We’ll play it by ear.’’

It will likely be mid-July before the Illini think about “cutting him loose,’’ Groce said, in full contact drills. Don’t be surprised if they push that back.

Abrams is allowed to work on skills, some light one-on-one sill work and some running and jumping drills, he said. Abrams is also included in five-man drills with no contact.

“I’m going with the program,’’ Abrams said. “Right now, I’m doing everything with the team except contact. I will be approaching contact through the next couple of weeks.

Groce doesn’t want to risk anything.

“There’s a progression there,’’ he said.

This is no time to debate where Abrams could make the most impact as a ball-handler, defender, scorer or a mentor to Te’Jon Lucas, the freshman from Milwaukee who is the point guard of the future despite coming off a broken foot suffered late in his senior year of high school. Abrams’ best asset comes as a team first guy who is just happy to be back out on the floor, but he knows what’s most important.

“I’m a point guard,’’ he said. “I’m a leader. I’m all of that. Whatever the team needs me to be.

“It’s how I can help the team win, just helping the guys individually and helping them get better as a team. I just want the main focus to be getting better, appreciating the process and playing tougher and together.’’

Abrams might be man among the boys, and he’s all right with that.

“I hope that’s the case,’’ he said. “Right now, I’m pretty confidence because of my game, both mentally and physically.’’

Abrams has already shown everyone his mental toughness and resilience. Now all eyes are on his body. Regardless of the outcome this winter, his return for a sixth year and his desire to win is a heartwarming story.

John Supinie is a columnist for Orangeandbluenews.com. During the day, he’s an Audi Brand Specialist at Green Audi in Springfield. Call or text him at 217-377-1977 if you’re looking for an Audi, Volkswagen, Toyota or preowned car. Ask for the Illini deal.