I’m like, that is not going to be the case. But Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson doses are available in Illinois. They drove to Champaign when Dosunmu turned 21 on Jan. 17, beeping the car horn and singing “Happy Birthday” from across the street before driving back to Chicago. [24], "2018 Illinois Fighting Illini Recruiting Class", https://chicago.suntimes.com/2016/4/8/18490109/michael-o-8217-brien-8217-s-notebook-april-8-2016, https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports-saturday/2019/5/11/18619086/from-chicago-with-joy-ayo-dosunmu-s-name-and-game-are-fueling-illini-rise, "2nd Annual Iverson Classic to Feature Shareef O'Neal, Mac McClung, and More High School Stars", "Illinois recruit Ayo Dosunmu leads Morgan Park to second straight Class 3A state title", "Ayo Dosunmu commitment changes the outlook of Illinois basketball", "Ayo Dosunmu lives up to billing in Illinois debut with 18 points in 99-60 rout of Evansville", "Big Ten Unveils Men's Basketball Postseason Honors on BTN", "Ayo Dosunmu's return raises the bar for the Illini. first-team All-Big Ten selection this week. Can you choose? Five Willis Towers worth of office space is empty in downtown Chicago, and it’s going to get worse, Coronavirus in Illinois updates: More than 152,000 COVID-19 vaccines administered on Friday, the highest daily total yet; 1,675 new cases and 23 additional deaths reported, Column: Teachers unions meet their match as parents say, ‘Open our schools’. It’s there. Wearing a black protective mask after suffering a broken nose and concussion and missing three games only adds to his mystique. Position: PG SG: FROM: Illinois: HT: 6-5: WT: 170: BORN: 1/7/00: YEAR: Jr. WING: NA: REACH: NA: 1on1 Interview. “I didn’t like we were in two separate places,” she said. They’ll have their usual family crew. Naismith winner. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Ayo Dosunmu scored 25 points, Trent Frazier had 24 and No. Column: Mitch Trubisky’s time as a Chicago Bears quarterback is nearing the end after only 4 seasons. They’re behind him. But they needed a plan. Latest on Illinois Fighting Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN When Quam coached Yakub’s youth basketball team and Ayo played on another team, Jamarra put her foot down. His just Player of the year. In his senior year, Dosunmu led the Mustangs once again to a state championship, in which he scored 28 points; breaking an IHSA record for points scored in a championship game. He can add to his reputation this postseason, which is expected to be his last run with the Illini as the NBA draft beckons. Ayo Dosunmu was born in Chicago to Nigerian immigrants. Column: Archie Miller might be nearing the end as Indiana men’s basketball coach. Because of COVID-19 protocols restricting fan attendance, this is the first season the family hasn’t been at every Illinois game. [22] On February 20, Dosunmu recorded his second triple-double, with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a 94–63 win over Minnesota. CHAMPAIGN, Ill (WCCU/WICS/WRSP) - Another Illinois win capped off by the late game heroics of Ayo Dosunmu, who added another late dagger to his ever-growing list. The Illinois Fighting Illini are ranked No. Before each school year, the Dosunmus would gather. The Illinois shooting guard is a clear-cut college superstar and losing him would hurt any team. “His situation is unique and it is very, very supportive on all fronts,” Underwood said. His just happen to be about basketball. “We’ve been delegated to certain roles. In these cases, the average was taken. But Quam said he leaves the coaching to the Illinois coaches; he’s there for reinforcement. His efforts have helped lead the team to a 16-5 record, with a current ranking at #5. If one Dosunmu wins, they all win. #illini Underwood: Ayo Dosunmu is "day to day." “How do you want the school year to look?” Jamarra Dosunmu said she asked her children. [Most read in Sports] After a season without fans, the Big Ten welcomes crowds for the tournament in Indianapolis: ‘I’ve been waiting all year. “I never overstep the boundary,” he said. Dosunmu transferred after his freshman year to Morgan Park. He’s very blessed.”. 4 Illinois blasted No. The junior, whose recruitment out of Morgan Park was a prescient signal the Illini were on the upswing, has the program on course for its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2013. Column: The end of Cuomo: Cui bono? 6' 5", 200 lbs. … “You come to the house, you see it,” said his dad, Quam Dosunmu. Health experts say not to hold out for a certain vaccine. ”, Before Ayo went to Illinois, Quam said when his son entered a gym, “I was either five steps ahead of him or five steps behind him.”, “You have to be visible in Chicago with your child,” he said. They arranged his meetings with general managers and prepped him for interviews as he contemplated making the NBA jump before ultimately returning to Illinois. Garza won a split vote with Illinois’ Ayo Dosunmu after being a unanimous pick in 2020. His multitude of dramatic clutch shots, his 20.9-point scoring average and his ferocious competitiveness that complements his resolute personality have made him a Champaign celebrity. [Most read in Sports] The Chicago Bulls drop their 2nd straight game since the All-Star break. He played video games and went to basketball practice. Ayo Dosunmu put on an all black outfit when he woke up to go to school on October 19, 2017. Quam quit his job after nearly 30 years as a UPS manager, taking a significant pay cut to work as a paraprofessional in education. “There’s no sibling rivalry,” he said. I’m pumped.’, [Most read in Sports] Mark Giangreco is out after a 26-year run as ABC-7′s lead sportscaster. Richard Williams, Venus and Serena Williams’ dad, wrote a 78-page plan for how to develop his daughters into tennis stars. “It was overwhelming. [5] During his senior season, Dosunmu averaged 25.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 2.7 steals, leading Morgan Park to a second-straight IHSA Class 3A championship. [21] On February 6, 2021, he became the third player in program history to register a triple-double, with 21 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists in a 75–60 victory over Wisconsin. Ayo Dosunmu, front left, with his family: clockwise from top left, sister Khadijat, mother Jamarra, sister Joselynn, brother Yakub and father Quam, center. Ayo Dosunmu, the dynamic Illinois guard who has raised expectations in Champaign, is surrounded by a family that has made it their business to support each other’s goals. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features © 2021 Google LLC Morgan Park guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) looks at a newspaper after his team defeated Fenwick 69-67 in overtime to win the Class 3A state championship March 18, 2017, at Carver Arena in Peoria. Ayo Dosunmu came back to Illinois for a junior season to lead Illinois to the NCAA Tournament and to raise his NBA Draft stock. He skipped the eighth-grade AAU circuit to work out with his dad before high school with a goal to make the city’s all-freshman team. That’s why I’m so grateful to have those resources in my family. In ad… Dosunmu will wrap up an impressive career in the upcoming weeks. But it allowed him more family time and loosened his schedule to oversee Ayo’s development. After strong showings during his first two years in the NCAA, Ayo Dosunmu hasn’t let his foot off the gas in year three. Not having his family stationed in the corner stands behind the State Farm Center bench like the previous two seasons was surreal, Dosunmu said. Yakub, 22, provides brotherly advice. They always give me pointers and say the pros and cons of each situation and allow me to make the decision.”. “I just wanted to go out and play as hard as I can each and every day so when it was time for March, when fans can come, they’ll be watching a great show,” he said. ET. Ayo Dosunmu is a Nigerian American basketball player who plays for the Illinois Fighting Illini of the Big Ten Conference. And with the NBA trade deadline looming, the next 2 weeks could determine their approach. He changed his Twitter avatar to a blank black box, and … The Illini guard appears on track to do both. I’m pumped.’. “I let them live their life,” Dosunmu said with a smile, noting he avoids social media. Underwood described Dosunmu as “day-to-day.” #illini Underwood: Ayo Dosunmu is "day to day." As a senior, he focused on winning a state championship. He’s very committed to being the best player he can be and seeing where that can take him. He’s hearing one voice — the voice he needs to hear.”. He has no fear of greedy financial representatives or hangers-on taking advantage of him as he takes the step into a professional career. According to the rules and regulation set by the NCAA, the college is not allowed to provide financial aid to the students of the athlete background but provide grants-aid to the student in terms of scholarship and various other incentives such as insurance to the players. And now it’s time to move on to bigger March goals. As the students of Illinois University, Dosunmu would have received $50,000in grant-aids. “They enjoy it.”, Said Jamarra: “It’s a way we can be part of it without actually being there.”. [11], Dosunmu hit a last-second jump shot in a 64–62 win over Michigan on January 25, 2020, and finished with 27 points. “Nobody got fired,” Jamarra joked. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune. 19 Illinois upset No. 1 seed Sunday and have legitimate national championship hopes. This page was last edited on 11 March 2021, at 02:48. When he and Yakub double-dribbled, which referees permitted at such a young age, Quam insisted it was a turnover and they had to give the ball to the opponent. [Most read in Sports] Column: Archie Miller might be nearing the end as Indiana men’s basketball coach. “There’s nothing else he’s going to accomplish in college basketball that I’m going to do for him. Absent injured national player of the year candidate Ayo Dosunmu, No. - Q: We have a weekly call; My brother is guiding the process - Q: We’re trying to keep up with the rules and policies and wait like everybody else - Q: I’m sure the calls will be coming in soon Dosunmu stayed in the game. His parents, two sisters and a brother have responsibilities in helping those dreams become reality. Ayo Dosunmu found motivation in Brad Underwood calling Luka Garza 'the best player in college basketball' "It's time to turn it up a notch," Dosunmu said of his mindset. First-round draft pick. It started, of course, as a family bonding experience. [4] Dosunmu was also selected to play in the second annual Iverson Roundball Classic All-American Game in April 2018 at Souderton Area High School outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Head coach Brad Underwood says that Dosunmu remains day-to-day ahead of that game. Stories abound of promising Chicago high school basketball stars who never make it . Give Ayo Dosunmu a chance, and he’ll tell you all about the loves of his life. Ayo had enough talent that Quam figured a college scholarship could offset the salary reduction. Ayo grew up attending their extracurricular activities and celebrating their victories. Every family member might as well work for Dosunmu Inc. Dad handles X’s and O’s breakdowns. [8] Dosunmu signed his National Letter of Intent in November 2017 to attend Illinois. And while the explanation seemed bizarre, Drouaillet said her brother eventually left the house.By Saturday, however, when May hadn’t contacted anyone, her family took matters into their own hands. Where did the time go? With hopes of fans being permitted to attend postseason tournaments, he was driven. Nightly family dinners and basketball games were enough. Ayo Dosunmu was born in Chicago to Nigerian immigrants. [Most read in Sports] Column: AD Josh Whitman says the Big Ten not naming Illinois co-champs with Michigan ‘will forever live in infamy’ — but it’s a rule he voted for twice. But they waved from the stands and again drove home without greeting him in person. Ayo could grow and potentially fill the glaringly empty second playmaker for Dallas. Don’t forget the goal.”. He always does. The family’s favorite pronoun is “we.”, “We have so many smart people in my family,” Ayo said. Chicago, Illinois native, Ayo Dosunmu is still a college basketball player who has played for the Illinois Fighting Illini since entering his college year. Mom is the media coordinator. 7 Ohio State at 4 p.m. Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu has missed the Illini’s last three games due to a facial injury he suffered on Feb. 23. He wants to win. An Ayo and Doncic backcourt, combined with Rick Carlisle’s coaching, could give fits in the future. [3] Dosunmu is the third Illini to be selected to play in the Jordan Classic, joining Dee Brown who played for the Red team in 2002 and Jalen Coleman-Lands who played in 2015. #11. “I don’t need to go outside (of them) for anything. “We all want to see each other win. “Ayo is very simple,” Jamarra said. Solution: Ayo began playing up two grades on his brother’s team, coached by their dad. [13] Despite an MRI showing no structural damage, Dosunmu missed the following game against Rutgers. Not only that, the Illini appear likely to receive a No. “I just saw (his) talent,” Quam said. It didn't take long for a big brother-little brother dynamic between Dosunmu and sophomore Trent Frazier to develop. 54.9 TS% on 26.5 USG% Background: First Team All Big Ten… Big Ten All … “You’re the CEO of this company,” Quam said he told his son years ago. Dosunmu, per The Athletic's Brian Hamilton, suffered a broken nose and has been fitted with a mask. “The job isn’t finished,” he said. Dosunmu was fouled by Michigan State freshman Mady Sissoko, who was ejected after he was assessed a flagrant-2 foul. They made a family pact to follow protocols strictly for the obvious health reasons but also to avoid jeopardizing Dosunmu’s season. [12] On February 11, Dosunmu was injured late in a 70–69 loss to Michigan State. He’s focused on one thing.”. [17] Following the season, Dosunmu declared for the 2020 NBA draft. Someone has probably tried to creep in and give their opinion, but it never gets to me. However, Illinois coach Brad Underwood hopes to have his star player back in the lineup sooner rather than later. When Ayo expressed in sixth grade he wanted to become an NBA player one day, it was all Quam needed to hear. Measurements: 6’5” / 185lb. In one of the most entertaining games of the Big Ten season, the teams traded leads for most of the game. Joselynn works in management, Khadijat is an educator and Yakub is a graduate student at Illinois. What do you want to achieve? “You open the refrigerator, you’re looking dead at it. [7] Dosunmu won a gold medal with the U18 National Team, while averaging 9.5 points, 4.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds during the international competition. Haven't seen Dosunmu yet today. Who benefits? Dosunmmu began his high school career at Chicago's Westinghouse College Prep, where he helped lead the Warriors to a 2015 conference championship against Al Raby High School and scored a season … [14] In his return from injury, Dosunmu scored 24 points in a 62–56 win at Penn State. He does not have a lot of distractions. Even if Ayo fails to reach his potential, the possibility of being a high character guy on the bench still exists. A Naismith Trophy semifinalist and Bob Cousy Award finalist, he’s on pace to be the first Division I player in 11 seasons to average at least 20 points, six rebounds and five assists. 4 takeaways from Illinois' 70–69 loss to Michigan State", "Dosunmu won't play at Rutgers; Griffin starts for Bezhanishvili", "Dosunmu scores 24, Illinois beats No. Illinois basketball star Ayo Dosunmu is out indefinitely with a broken nose that was suffered on a dirty play against Michigan State. [18] Dosunmu withdrew from the draft to return to Illinois for his junior season on July 31, 2020. [16] As a sophomore, Dosunmu averaged 16.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.3 rebounds per game. New goals for the family to set. He preferred to skip high school parties to wake at 5:30 a.m. for conditioning runs with his dad and brother.