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Despite some interest from other programs, most notably Kansas, Darius Paul will re-sign with the Illini this week during the early-signing period.

Suspended from the team for the 2014-15 season after an arrest for underage drinking and resisting an officer, Paul is spending this season at Lamar State College in Texas.

"Recently there’s been quite a bit of interest in Darius, and it’s always been in the back of people’s minds that he was going back to Illinois," said Lynda Paul, Darius’ mother. "I’m glad (Illinois) decided to sign him in the early period. I think it would have gotten really confusing had they wanted to wait until the late-signing period. Teams were coming on strong. I’m glad this is over so I don’t have to worry about what to tell people."

Paul spent his freshman season at Western Michigan, where he was the Mid-American Conference’s Freshman of the Year. He then transferred to Illinois and sat out the 2013-14 season to satisfy NCAA transfer rules.

Despite Paul’s off-the-court issues, John Groce and his coaching staff, as well as the administration at Illinois, have supported Paul.

"I love the University of Illinois," said Lynda Paul, whose son Brandon Paul starred at Illinois from 2009

to ’13. "(Athletic director) Mike Thomas has been extremely supportive and really Darius’ advocate. The coaching staff has been wonderful making sure Darius is on track."

Paul spent much of the summer with former NBA point guard and coach John Lucas, who battled substance-abuse issues during his career.

"We appreciate John Lucas for what he’s provided Darius so he can stay mentally on track," Lynda Paul said. "It was difficult to be away in Texas with John Lucas; he’s quite serious."

A 6-foot-9 forward, Paul’s season at Lamar State began last week. In the season opener, he scored 16 points in a Seahawks win.

In the next game, a loss, Paul scored 19 points, grabbed seven boards and blocked six shots.

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