Jacob Grandison really started to find his niche on this Illini team down the stretch of last season, making key hustle plays that sparked runs to help wins games. He was rewarded by the coaching staff, seeing more than 20 minutes in 9 of the final 11 contests last season.
The Holy Cross transfer didn’t have many offensive opportunities last season with the presence of All-Americans Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn, but he made the most of his opportunities and secured a starting role with his maturity, energy, fit in his role, and knack for heady, winning plays.