Shannon Ryan

Shannon Ryan is a former Chicago Tribune sports writer.

5 takeaways from the Illinois football spring game, including new coach Bret Bielema’s unofficial starting QB

April 20, 2021 at 6:57 p.m.

For the first time since the end of the 2019 season, Illinois football players competed at Memorial Stadium in front of fans. A limited number of spectators distanced themselves, many...

Illinois' Kofi Cockburn celebrates a second-half basket against Michigan at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, Mich., on March 2, 2021.

Illinois center Kofi Cockburn declares for the NBA draft, though he still could return for his junior season

April 18, 2021 at 9:44 p.m.

Illinois center Kofi Cockburn is declaring for the NBA draft, he announced with a post on his social media accounts Sunday. Cockburn, a 7-foot sophomore, still could return to Illinois...

Trent Frazier is returning to Illinois for another season, and the Illini land transfer Alfonso Plummer — who averaged 13.6 points for Utah

April 18, 2021 at 1:44 p.m.

Illinois guard Trent Frazier on Saturday announced he is returning for his final season of eligibility, and Utah guard Alfonso Plummer is joining the Illini as a transfer. The news...

Florida forward Omar Payne plays against Vanderbilt on Dec. 30, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn.

Brad Underwood adds length and athleticism to Illinois’ roster with the signing of 2 recruits and the transfer of Florida’s Omar Payne

April 14, 2021 at 11:48 p.m.

Illinois' basketball roster is in flux as players have transferred and others decide whether to use their future eligibility. But coach Brad Underwood firmed up a strong incoming recruiting class...

Trent Frazier and Giorgi Bezhanishvili call out to teammates after the Fighting Illini's 59-51 victory over Minnesota at State Farm Center in Champaign Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2020.

Illinois senior Trent Frazier will enter the 2021 NBA draft with NCAA-approved agent, maintaining his final season of eligibility

April 10, 2021 at 1:09 a.m.

Illinois senior Trent Frazier announced Friday on social media he will use an NCAA-approved agent to help him enter the NBA draft, but he intends to maintain his eligibility as...

Loyola's Keith Clemons celebrates scoring against Illinois during the first half.

Illinois forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili says he’ll enter the NBA draft: ‘I’m excited to see what the future holds’

April 8, 2021 at 10:29 p.m.

Illinois forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili announced Thursday that he will forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the NBA draft. "From basketball to classes to dancing, it has been nothing but love...

Tony Stubblefield smiles during his introductory news conference as the DePaul men's basketball coach Wednesday at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.

New DePaul coach Tony Stubblefield vows to make the Blue Demons ‘Chicago’s team’ with strong recruiting and a unified playing style: ‘The potential is here’

April 7, 2021 at 11:11 p.m.

As Tony Stubblefield wrapped up interviews Wednesday during his introductory news conference as the new DePaul men's basketball coach, his 12-year-old stepson and 8-year-old grandson took shots into a Wintrust...

Drew Valentine is introduced as the new Loyola head coach at Gentile Arena on April 6, 2021.

Loyola’s Drew Valentine — at 29, the youngest head coach in Division I basketball — has been acting like a coach since preschool: ‘He’s just a natural-born leader’

April 7, 2021 at 5:16 a.m.

As a little boy playing on youth basketball teams, Drew Valentine would grab rambunctious, scattered teammates and move them into position. "I didn't know he was listening that closely to...

Ayo Dosunmu waits to take a free throw in a first-round game against Drexel in the NCAA Tournament on March 19, 2021.

Illinois star Ayo Dosunmu announces he will enter the NBA draft

April 6, 2021 at 10:43 p.m.

Illinois junior Ayo Dosunmu on Tuesday announced what has been hinted at all season: He will forgo his remaining eligibility and hire an agent as he enters the NBA draft....

Baylor head coach Scott Drew gets a hug from guard Mark Vital at the end of the championship game.

3 takeaways from the NCAA Tournament championship game, including giving all the credit to Baylor — instead of making excuses for Gonzaga

April 6, 2021 at 8:37 p.m.

Baylor wasn't perfect this season, but the Bears were close to it Monday night. They did what other teams couldn't accomplish 31 times this season. They defeated previously unbeaten Gonzaga...

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