Brian Carlwell Leaves Illinois One Year After Car Accident Nearly Killed Him

It hasn't been a particularly good season in Champaign. The Fighting Illini are 3-10 in the Big Ten and, unless they have a miracle run in the conference tournament, poised to snap an eight-year run of dancing. Those are just on-court problems, though, which pale in comparison to the situation the team found themselves at this time last year. That was when Jamar Smith drunkenly crashed his car, drove home and left injured teammate Brian Carlwell inside because he was dead.

Thankfully he wasn't and came back to play this year (Smith is quite rightfully suspended) before injuring his knee in November. He hasn't played since then and today ended his tenure at the school. He'll finish the semester before looking to transfer somewhere else.

"I am going to miss these guys, but I feel this decision is what is right for me at this time. I want to show my teammates the same support that they've given me, so I will continue to come to Assembly Hall and cheer them on as I finish the semester in good academic standing."

You can't blame the guy for wanting a fresh start. He deserves to enjoy and embrace his time in college, something he'd never get to do as the guy who almost died in Jamar Smith's car. It also gives the Illini a chance to put the incident further behind them, especially if they tell Smith to find another school before next season.