Dec. 18, 2002

Growing up throughout his high school years, Jerrance Howard knew that he wanted to play college basketball. During his junior year of high school, Howard became close friends with future teammate Brian Cook. Choosing to play basketball for the University of Illinois was not a tough choice for Howard to make.

"My junior year, Brian Cook and I decided we wanted to go to school together," Howard said. "Therefore, we both committed at the same time. In our class, Brian and I were the so-called best big man and best guard in the state, so we decided to go to school together. They (the Illinois staff) were recruiting both of us really hard and it was close to home."

Other than playing alongside his good friend Cook and being close to home, Howard also had three other good reasons why he should play for the Orange and Blue. They were his lifelong friends from his hometown of Peoria, Ill.: Sergio McClain, Marcus Griffin and Frank Williams.

"That's where it all started," Howard said. "Serg and I went to the same grade school, and I grew up with Frank. When I was in high school, I used to hang out with them and come to the games. Basically, whatever school they were at was where Brian and I were looking at the most."

The four from Peoria came together and helped Illinois win the Big Ten Championship in the 2000-01 season. The graduation of McClain and Griffin in 2001 left Howard and Williams, and the duo helped the Illini win another Big Ten Championship last season. However, this season Howard will have to make an adjustment. With Williams leaving for the NBA, Howard is the only surviving member of the "Peoria Connection."

"Now, I am more used to it. At first, it was weird. I was riding home by myself, and we all used to carpool," Howard said. "Our families used to always hang out together, come watch us play, and cook for us. But I'm kind of getting used to it now."

Howard thinks that he, along with McClain, Griffin and Williams, helped put Peoria on the national basketball map. He takes great pride in trying to help the Illini land the top basketball talent from the Peoria area and around the state. Howard realizes the importance of making sure the top players in the state sign to play for Illinois.

"I think that's one of the things that Serg and Griff wanted to establish," Howard said. "Peoria is getting to be known all over America as far as basketball goes. If you look at all of the top programs around the country, they are all getting the top players from their state. That's one of the things that they've also established here."

On the court for the last two years, Howard has served as the backup point guard behind Williams. Now, with Williams gone, Howard is competing for a starting spot. Knowing Williams for so long and backing him up for two seasons has taught Howard many things that will help him for the next two years as he finishes his career for the Illini.

"I have learned many things from Frank ever since I've known him. He always had that edge and a little chip on his shoulder and was a competitor," Howard said. "He's one of the greatest competitors, whether it's playing cards, playing pool and especially playing basketball. That's the one thing I've learned from Frank: how to compete and that competing is what you have to do, especially at this level."

Being one of the few upperclassmen on the team, Howard has a new role on the team this year. He has emerged as a leader and mentor for the talented group of freshmen on the team this year. He has taken what he learned from former teammates Williams and Cory Bradford, and is applying it towards the freshmen.

"My role is being the leader. I'm not one of those guys who is going to go out and give the team 20 or 30 points a game. I do the small things, such as making sure everyone gets to practice on time and the things behind the scenes that most people don't see. My role is to be a leader and make this team successful, and hopefully go out and win another Big Ten Championship," Howard said.

As Howard has been a leader for the freshmen and helped them adjust to college life, he has also developed friendships with them that will last after their basketball careers are over. Howard has shown them what to do and what not to do off the court, and has become somewhat of an "older brother" for them.

"I have developed friendships with all of the freshmen, especially with Deron Williams and Dee Brown," Howard said. "They're like my little brothers, and they're always begging for something. It's cool though, and I know they have a great future. All of them are close to me, but especially those two because we play the same position and have a lot of things in common."

While Howard enters his final two years of college basketball, he is still unsure of his future goals. He plans on earning his degree this May, and maybe trying out a professional basketball career overseas. By opening up Peoria to Illinois basketball and passing his knowledge to the younger players, he has done more than his share of contributing to the University of Illinois' basketball program and has helped it shape itself into the team that it is today.