The University of Illinois Men’s Basketball program got some great news on Wednesday afternoon.

It's official. @bigmikethorne12 will be back! #Illini ? ?

» https://t.co/XiMU20O0r9 pic.twitter.com/dn4zLc0U5n

— Illini Basketball (@IlliniMBB) May 18, 2016

The 6-11 Thorne played in only 8 games this past year as he battled a knee injury. The grad transfer from Charlotte averaged 12.9 ppg and 8.5 rpg during his only season to date in Champaign. Thorne gives head coach John Groce a veteran interior presence in what should prove to be a critical season Groce under new athletic director Josh Whitman.