Illinois
IBM to join new algorithm center on Illinois quantum campus
CHICAGO (WGEM) – The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) is getting a major addition. The quantum campus in Chicago is adding the new National Quantum Algorithm Center with the technology company IBM being its first major tenant.
“For decades, IBM has established itself as a worldwide leader in computing and technology solutions, so it’s really humbling that they believe in our vision for creating a first-of-its-kind global hub for quantum scale-up,” said IQMP CEO Harley Johnson.
IBM will house its next-generation, modular quantum computer at the center, “IBM Quantum Systems Two.”
The governor’s office said the algorithm center will aim to advance the exploration of quantum-centric supercomputing across industries.
“This center will be a home for groundbreaking new research and exploration on applications and advancements that will solve complex challenges across industries,” said Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.
He said in addition to IBM, partners in the new algorithm center will include universities, national labs, private computing software and hardware companies, and corporate users from various industries.
“Quantum has the potential to open a world of possibilities. The work that will take place at the National Quantum Algorithm Center and across the Illinois quantum infrastructure will help us wrestle with the most pressing questions of the day in climate change, in national security, health care and beyond,” Pritzker said.
Wednesday’s announcement that IBM will be joining the campus is part of the state’s larger quest to make Illinois a quantum hub. Pritzker signed legislation creating a Quantum Enterprise Zone in June with an initial state investment of $500 million into the quantum computing campus. In July, the state signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to create a quantum proving ground.
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To be good enough to play in the college ranks is impressive enough, but Illinois might have one of the best athletes we have ever seen come through the program in 2026.
While the Illini are still trying to hold on to a top 20 class of 2026, the lead dog in this pack is Nasir Rankin. The 6-foot-1, 174-pound athlete committed to Illinois back in May and is our best commit yet.
Rankin is a four-star recruit who is ranked as the No. 84 player in the class of 2026. He is also the No. 9 athlete in the country and the No. 2 player coming out of Illinois. The Morgan Park High School product will likely be a wide receiver when he enters the college ranks.
But Rankin isn’t just a stellar football player. Illinois also sees him as a solid basketball recruit, too. When he committed to the Illini, he announced that he would play both football and basketball.
Usually, you see some type of dip in production when a player plays two sports like this. Illinois has had this in the past. Someone like Walter Young was a star on the football team, and he was on the basketball roster. Young didn’t get much playing time, though.
You can also go to the other end of the spectrum. A player like Julius Peppers for North Carolina. He was a star football player and went on to a Hall of Fame NFL career. Peppers was also good at basketball, averaging 7.1 points and 4.0 rebounds per game before focusing on football.
On the basketball side of things, Rankin isn’t rated or ranked nationally. He does have other basketball scholarship offers from the likes of Eastern Illinois, Grambling State, and Northern Illinois.
What piques my interest is what Rankin is going to do in his senior year at Morgan Park. We all know what he is going to do on the football field, but what does his basketball season look like? How big of numbers can this kid put up, and when or where will he crack the 247Sports rankings?
As a junior, Rankin was a big part of the Morgan Park squad. He averaged 23.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.6 steals per game. His shooting isn’t bad either, as he hit 50-of-147, 34%, from three-point range.
Rankin took those basketball skills into the summer with the KL Power 5 AAU squad. In the adidas 3SSB AAU league, Rankin averaged 14.3 points, 2.7 assists, and 2.0 rebounds per game.
What should the expectations be for Nasir Rankin when he arrives at Illinois
The numbers are pretty impressive at the high school ranks. Is he LeBron James, where he is the best basketball player in the country, and then an All-State football player? Likely, no, but no one expects him to live up to the greatest player of all time.
Could Rankin be the greatest athlete to ever come through Champaign? I think that is something to think about.
Let’s say Rankin comes in and in the first two years, he hits 1,000 yards receiving in a season and is Illinois’ biggest offensive weapon. Being a top 100 recruit in the country, that isn’t farfetched by any means.
While being the best weapon Illinois has offensively, Rankin is a good rotational player for the basketball team. He averages 15 minutes per game and puts up 7.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game.
I am sure there were athletes back in the pre-World War II era who played both sports well, but since more people have been allowed to play sports, I can’t think of the last player Illinois has had who could play both football and basketball at a high level.
There is no reason to anoint anyone yet. Rankin still has an entire high school season to play, and it will be fun to watch what he can do on the field and court. But it is starting to creep into my mind that Illinois might have the greatest athlete in program history coming to us in 2026. That is a fun thought.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Illinois Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at July 3, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Pick-3 numbers from July 3 drawing
Midday: 9-9-5, Fireball: 1
Evening: 8-7-3, Fireball: 2
Check Pick-3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick-4 numbers from July 3 drawing
Midday: 8-5-9-8, Fireball: 0
Evening: 1-4-8-7, Fireball: 3
Check Pick-4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning LuckyDay Lotto numbers from July 3 drawing
Midday: 05-06-15-29-38
Evening: 15-18-27-33-44
Check LuckyDay Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto numbers from July 3 drawing
05-10-13-14-28-42, Extra Shot: 14
Check Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes up to $600: Claim at an Illinois Lottery retailer, a Claim Center, by mail, or via an e-Claim. By mail, send the required documentation to: Illinois Lottery Claims Department, P.O. Box 19080, Springfield, IL.
- Prizes from $601 to $10,000: Claim at a Claim Center, by mail, or via an e-Claim.
- Prizes over $10,000: Claim at a Claim Center or by mail.
- Appointments Required: Schedule an appointment for in-person claims.
- Documentation: Bring a photo ID and Social Security number proof.
When are the Illinois Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky Day Lotto (Day): 12:40 p.m. CT daily.
- Lucky Day Lotto (Evening): 9:22 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto: 9:22 p.m. CT on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.
- Pick 3 (Day): 12:40 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Evening): 9:22 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Day): 12:40 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Evening): 9:22 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Illinois editor. You can send feedback using this form.
With the NBA and NHL champs crowned, the NBA Draft over, and football still weeks away, we’ve officially hit the dog days of summer. The transfer portal’s quiet, rosters are set, and all that’s left is baseball.
So, what better time to spark a debate? Here’s my Illinois All-Quarter Century Team—the best starting five and bench from the past 25 years.
Note: This is based on a player’s best single season at Illinois—not their full career.
My Illinois All-Quarter Century Starting Five (2000–2025)
Assembling this lineup has taken more time than I care to admit. There are too many legends, not enough spots. Here it is:
PG – Deron Williams (2004–05)
- 12.5 PPG | 6.8 APG (Big Ten leader) | 3.6 RPG
- All-American, NCAA All-Tournament Team, All-Big Ten
We’ll lead off with the steady hand behind the revered 37–2 squad. Averaging a conference-best 6.8 assists per game, he didn’t just run the offense—he made it hum like a luxury engine. D-Will was the brains of the operation and a no-brainer for this team.
Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
G – Dee Brown (2004–05)
- 13.3 PPG | 4.5 APG | 2.7 RPG | 43% from 3
- All-American, Big Ten Player of the Year, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, All-Big Ten
If Deron was the engine, Dee Brown was the sparkplug. He brought swagger, pace, and an unmatched ability to electrify the crowd. Brown’s shooting was elite (43% from three), and his defensive tenacity earned him both Big Ten Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year—a ridiculous feat. Simply put, Dee Brown is another non-negotiable for this lineup.
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Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images
F – Ayo Dosunmu (2020–21)
- 20.1 PPG | 5.3 APG | 6.3 RPG
- All-American, All-Big Ten, Big Ten Tournament MVP
Ayo Dosunmu, who brought Illinois basketball back to national relevance, undoubtedly deserves a spot on the starting lineup of this All-Quarter Century Team. He averaged 20 a game, led the Illini to their first Big Ten Tournament title since 2005, and helped secure a No. 1 seed in March (we don’t talk about how that ended). With his remarkable ability to deliver in crucial moments, he would be my go-to player for this team in late-game situations.
He’ll have to play forward to find a time on this team’s starting lineup, but I think it’s a role he can play as a bigger guard.
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Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
F – Terrence Shannon Jr. (2023–24)
- 23.0 PPG | 4.0 RPG | 2.4 APG
- All-American, All-Big Ten, Big Ten Tournament MVP
This may be the pick that ruffles some feathers. Recency bias? Maybe. But Terrence Shannon Jr. was an absolute force during the 2023–24 season, averaging 23 points per game and putting together one of the most electric postseason runs in program history. He seemed to refuse to let his team lose during his time in Champaign, and for that and several other reasons, he earns a place on my All-Quarter Century Team.
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Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
C – Kofi Cockburn (2021–22)
- 20.9 PPG | 10.6 RPG (Big Ten leader) | 59.3% FG
- All-American, All-Big Ten
With a smaller lineup elsewhere, this team needed a bruiser in the paint—enter Kofi Cockburn, a walking double-double. Averaging over 20 points and a Big Ten-best 10.6 rebounds per game, Kofi was a walking double-double and an unstoppable interior presence. What a dominant presence he was. When Kofi got deep post position, it was basically two points and a broken spirit for the defender. Rim protector, rebound vacuum, and low-post destroyer. He’s the anchor for this team.
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Photo by Justin K. Aller/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
Bench:
Luther Head (’04-05), Brian Cook (’02-03) (BTPOY), Frank Williams (’00-01) (BTPOY), Coleman Hawkins (’23-24), Meyers Leonard (’11-12), Malcolm Hill (’15-16), Trent Frazier (’18-19), Kasparas Jakucionis (’24-25)
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The Fit:
I picture this squad operating a lot like how Purdue weaponized Zach Edey—except a lot more fun to root for. Park Kofi on the block, surround him with shooters like Dee Brown (who casually shot 43% from deep in 2005), and let Deron Williams run pick-and-rolls into oblivion. And when your bench features Luther Head plus two Big Ten Players of the Year in Brian Cook and Frank Williams…you’re cooking with gas.
Disagree?
Disagree? Good. That’s half the fun. Just know that if you’re leaving Ayo Dosunmu, Dee Brown, or Deron Williams out of your starting lineup, it’s gonna be tough for me to take anything else you say seriously. But feel free to yell at me anyway.
I fully expect some fans—especially from the early 2000s era—to be yelling at their screens right now over who I left off. Fair. But as a recent graduate of 2023, it is hard for me not to be partial to the younger crop of players who made me fall in love with this program. This is my All-Quarter Century Team, and I’m sticking to it.
Hit the comments or roast me over on X/Twitter (@AnthonyRaffone1), where I will start tweeting about all things Illini hoops and dropping more blogs right here at The Champaign Room.
And since we’re all just killing time until the 2025-26 basketball season kicks off, feel free to send some more hypothetical team ideas my way. This offseason isn’t gonna entertain itself.
