Shaka Smart has turned down Illinois for a final time and will remain at VCU, a source told CBSSports.com on Wednesday.

Smart is expected to address the situation formally later Wednesday.

Illinois targeted the rising star initially and continued to make lucrative offers for him over the past 36 hours. Smart spent Tuesday morning and afternoon recruiting, returned to Richmond late Tuesday and reached a final decision Wednesday afternoon. He's led VCU to two NCAA tournaments, one of which resulted in a trip to the Final Four.

The Illini's final offer is believed to have been worth more than $2 million per season.