CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Former Illini and NBA player Meyers Leonard was back at his alma mater for the Senior Night game against Purdue.

The Robinson native sat courtside alongside his wife, Elle, and country music singer-songwriter from Paris, Brett Eldredge.

Leonard recently announced his retirement from basketball, playing in the NBA from 2012 to 2023 after two years at Illinois.

He recently released a country song called ‘Good in Goodbye’ as he steps away from the court.

I just I’ve always loved storytelling, and my wife and I moved to Nashville about a year and a half ago, and I’ve always loved country music, but I was like, ‘No way in the world I’ve ever been able to write songs,’ but I picked up a guitar maybe three years ago now and just I’ve never sang, I’ve never played an instrument, and I’ve been really fortunate to have met a couple of really good writers there in Nashville.” Leonard said.

Leonard spoke with WCIA about how it feels to be back and what the U of I has meant to him.

“This place was the Mecca to me.”

“I grew up dirt poor, and there was no way in my mind I was ever going to go to the University of Illinois, but I’ve been really fortunate.”

“For all of the bigger games that I had in the NBA, there was something about checking into a game for the Illini or the starting lineups that just felt so special to me.”

“The response every time Elle and I come back is so heartfelt, I guess and pure.”

Leonard said he has more music in the works.