In the spring of 1990, East St. Louis basketball star Cuonzo Martin, long considered an Illinois lean, signed with conference rival Purdue due to concerns about potential NCAA sanctions coming the Fighting Illini’s way.
27 years later, parts of history have decided to repeat themselves. East St. Louis basketball star Jeremiah Tilmon, who committed and signed with Illinois a few months ago, asked out of his Letter of Intent in early April to explore his options after a coaching change in Champaign. Today, he elected to sign with Illinois’ Braggin’ Rights rival, one that happens to be coached by Cuonzo Martin.