By SEAN BOCK
Freshman guard Mark Smith will transfer from Illinois, a source confirmed to ZAGSBLOG.
“I just don’t fit the system,” Smith told the Telegraph of his reason for leaving the program. “I wish all the players the best of luck, but I just don’t fit the system. Coach [Brad] Underwood, he’s going to get people that fit his system.
A former top 100 recruit, Smith started in 19 games this year for the Illini and was considered the first high-level recruit in the Underwood era. He averaged 5.8 points and 19.1 minutes per game while shooting 34 percent from the field, and 23 percent beyond the arc.
“I don’t have any timetable set,” Smith said. “I really haven’t talked to any schools yet because this just happened. I’m just going to make sure I get the right fit this time, the right system.”
Mr. Basketball of Illinois in 2017, Smith chose the Illini over Michigan State, Ohio State, Kentucky, and Duke.
The Illinois athletic department didn’t put any restrictions on Smith’s transfer options.
In Underwood’s first season in Champaign, his team finished 14-18 (4-14 Big Ten) and lost in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.
The 2018 recruiting class for the Illini features five-star point guard Ayo Dosunmu and White Plains (N.Y.) Archbishop Stepinac shooting guard Alan Griffin.
Illinois is also in the running for Courtney Ramey, the top uncommitted point guard in the 2018 class.
Photo: The Daily Illini
