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Legion takes part in second UI practice

Posted by: Paul Klee

Tuesday, January 8, 2008 8:21 PM

Alex Legion is finishing up his second practice at Illinois this evening. (He's wearing the No. 5 practice jersey but plans on going with No. 15 next season.) Before practice, the Kentucky transfer talked about the transition and his decision to attend Illinois.

Legion believes Illinois is where he's supposed to be due to a single fact: it was Alex who picked Illinois. He said it was "the first time" he's been the one to choose his destination, saying coaches and family have influenced prior decisions.

"It was kind of strange at first," Legion said about making the decision on his own. "You have your little group of advisors telling you what's best for you. Like I said, this is the place I want to be.

"I think that's why it didn't work out with Kentucky. My mom wanted me to go there and different coaches (did, too). When I faced adversity (at Kentucky) it was like I didn't even want to be here in the first place. But like I said this is the place I want to be. I want to be here until I graduate."

-Look for a story on Bruce Weber's recruitment of Legion, the transfer's relationship with two current players and more on why Legion says he left Kentucky in Wednesday's News-Gazette.

Paul
pklee@news-gazette.com