Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn does take a small measure of joy in absolutely putting it to the team his dad, Ben Gibbs, played for in college.
That almost had to be the case.
Gibbs-Lawhorn had a noteworthy Illinois debut when he scored 18 points in his first game in orange and blue last year in a win against Eastern Illinois. Monday night’s 2024-25 season opener was no different. Better, in fact.
Gibbs-Lawhorn had 18 points by halftime and finished with a career-high of 21.
The 6-foot-1 sophomore guard knocked down 4 of 8 three-pointers.
Got to the free-throw line.
Provided a spark to the Illini defense.
Simply put, Gibbs-Lawhorn played a significant role in Illinois’ 112-67 victory … against Eastern Illinois.
“My dad went there; that’s all I’ve got to say,” Gibbs-Lawhorn said with a smirk.
Forgive EIU coach Marty Simmons if he was suffering through a brutal case of déjà vu Monday night at State Farm Center. Gibbs-Lawhorn didn’t exactly have a place of prominence on the Panthers’ scouting report a year ago.
This season? It didn’t matter even if he did. Gibbs-Lawhorn knocked down a trio of three-pointers in the first half and got to the free-throw line four times after EIU could do nothing but foul on his repeated attacks on the rim.
