"It's been a long time coming"

"It's been a long time coming,'' Richmond said Sunday while watching from aluminum bleachers behind the basket as the Illini played an exhibition game. "I've been committed for three years. It's good to be a man of my word and reassure fans that I'm serious about this thing.''

Richmond's commitment buoyed Illinois through tough times, when the Illini lost a commitment from heralded Indianapolis prep guard Eric Gordon, sneaked into the NCAA tournament in 2007 and failed to reach it 2008.

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