Illinois junior guard Kendrick Nunn will be out for about eight weeks because he needs surgery to repair a ligament in his left thumb.

The Illini said Tuesday that Nunn will have the surgery Wednesday. He suffered the injury during practice Oct. 13.

Nunn has been a starter for close to two full seasons. Coach John Groce had said he was looking to Nunn this season to help lead a team heavy with freshmen.

Nunn struggled to be consistent last season after some summer injuries, but he still averaged 11.1 points.