The Illinois Fighting Illini got word Saturday night of a new addition to the men’s basketball program. Connor Serven, a 6-foot-9 forward from Chicago’s St. Rita High School, will be joining the team as a preferred walk-on.
Serven is a central Illinois native who played two seasons at Bushnell-Prairie City before transferring to St. Rita. Serven helped the Mustangs to a 21-11 record and was a Chicago Catholic League Honorable Mention selection. Illini assistant Chin Coleman offered him a walk-on spot during a campus visit last month. Serven bet on himself and accepted.
What exactly is a “preferred” walk-on?