Good Morning, Illini Nation: Kickin' Cancer a hit as always
· Yahoo Sports
Apr. 16—Illinois' annual Kickin' Cancer event keeps getting bigger.
This year's Coaches vs. Cancer fundraiser drew nearly 2,000 Illini fans to Gordyville USA. A capacity crowd that helped raise approximately $700,000 for the American Cancer Society in what's become the largest individual Coaches vs. Cancer event in the country.
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Brad Underwood has typically been joined by other coaches, mostly from the Big Ten, at Illinois' annual event. This year was different, with the Illini using the fundraiser in Gifford to further celebrate their Final Four team.
Nearly all of the players from that 28-9 squad were in attendance. Kylan Boswell was not able to join his teammates at Gordyville USA, as he was playing Wednesday night in Portsmouth, Va., at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. The now former Illinois guard had an impressive night, though, with 21 points on 6 of 10 shooting to go with eight assists, four steals and three rebounds.
Ty Rodgers and Jason Jakstys were also not in attendance Wednesday night and missed Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic and Jake Davis announcing they would return to Illinois for the 2026-27 season. Two players that won't be back next season — Mihailo Petrovic and Toni Bilic — did make the trip to Gifford.
"They were a part of an unbelievable experience," Underwood said. "I've always said I don't hold grudges when guys leave. Everybody's got decisions to make. This is an atmosphere, a family atmosphere, I want them to feel comfortable in. They've done something that's been done very rarely. So enjoy that, feel that and know they were part of something really special."