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Apr. 16—The transfer portal opened not long after the confetti fell in Indianapolis, signaling the end of the 2025-26 season and the immediate beginning of the chaos that has become the college basketball offseason.
We'll track every move concerning the Illinois roster as it happens during another crucial spring for Brad Underwood and Co. as the Illini try to build off their Final Four run with only Kylan Boswell, Ben Humrichous and AJ Redd exhausting their eligibility and unable to return.
The returning players
David Mirkovic
Mirkovic winding up just shy of 500 points, 300 rebounds and 100 assists in his college basketball debut probably should have gotten a bigger push on the national stage. That group latched on to his outsize personality and sort of glossed over the fact he averaged 13.3 points as a 48/38/76 shooter to go with eight rebounds and 2.6 assists per game ... as a 6-9 forward.
All-American? The versatility in his skill set combined with a full summer to work with Adam Fletcher in the weight room and the Illinois staff on the court has the real potential to lead to a sophomore year breakout from a foundation of a seriously impressive freshman season. A sophomore season that will, in fact, happen in Champaign with Mirkovic announcing his return on April 15.
Tomislav Ivisic
7-1, 255, Center
A tonsillectomy in October cost Ivisic 16 practice days and a minor knee injury in early November didn't help matters as the Illinois center tried to find his fit in a new-look frontcourt. A different fit with the Illini using Mirkovic like they did Ivisic a year prior. But Ivisic in the NCAA tournament — 12.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game — was the best version of his new self.
How effective Ivisic is from three-point range will come into play. His success rate from deep dropped from year one (36 percent) to year two (31 percent), while he actually got more efficient scoring in the paint. If he's able to combine his late-season confidence from the Final Four run with his three-point shooting in his debut year, an All-Big Ten caliber big man could be the result for the Illini after he announced his return April 15.
Jake Davis
6-6, 215, Forward
A season to get used to the Big Ten and playing for a power conference team did wonders for Davis, who improved from a 34 percent three-point shooter in 2024-25 for the Illini to a 41 percent three-point shooter this past season. He also showed marked improvement as a defender, fulfilling his role as a glue guy in Champaign.
More of the same. Knock down threes. Defend. Don't make mistakes. Davis found his groove this past season in that role, with just six turnovers in 725 total minutes played an incredible statistic, and it's one he will likely fill again after announcing his return April 15.
Zvonimir Ivisic
7-2, 250, Forward/Center
A season similar to those he spent at Kentucky and Arkansas with flashes of dominance as a rim protector, rim runner and 7-2 three-point shooter, but not consistently. Also another season where he faded off toward the end of the year, including a 14-game stretch in the final two months where he shot 3 of 31 (9.7 percent) from three-point range.
After announcing his return April 15 along with his brother and Davis, Ivisic is likely looking at another season where he's the complementary piece off the bench unless he can turn those flashes where he looks like an NBA-caliber big man into a regular part of his game.
The incoming transfer
Stefan Vaaks
6-7, 212, Guard
The transition to college basketball was an easy one for the 20-year-old Estonian. Vaaks put together an All-Big East Freshman Team caliber season at Providence, finishing what turned out to be a one-and-done year with the Friars averaging 15.8 points on 40/35/84 shooting to go with 3.2 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game. Vaaks hit the transfer portal after the coaching change at Providence and immediately became one of the top guards available.
Brad Underwood clearly has a type. Vaaks is another in a growing line of big guards who can double as scorers and facilitators. Vaaks could slide right into the spot Keaton Wagler just vacated by declaring for the 2026 NBA Draft. How he rebounds and defends will be worth watching, but Vaaks' ability as a scorer — both from range and in getting to the rim — plus a solid assist rate dovetails with what Illinois wants out of that position.
The one-and-done freshman
Keaton Wagler
6-6, 185, Guard
Just the most impressive freshman season in program history (and one of the best for any Illini, ever). Wagler's list of accolades is extensive, with Big Ten Freshman of the Year, consensus Second Team All-American and Jerry West Award winner at the top. All earned after the first-year guard wound up the top scorer and playmaker for a Final Four team.
The pre-draft process is officially underway now that Wagler has declared for the 2026 NBA Draft. That includes keeping an eye on the draft lottery May 10 because one of those teams that is waiting on the ping pong balls will likely select the third one-and-done freshman in Illinois history. (The other two were last year in Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley). The combine will follow in Chicago, and Wagler will have the opportunity to solidify his spot among the top draft prospects.
The transfers out
Ty Rodgers
6-6, 210, Guard/Forward
Rodgers certainly didn't plan on another season on the Illinois bench after his purposeful redshirt year in 2024-25, but an offseason knee injury dictated it. That left the veteran wing doing his best to be a good teammate and lead from the bench during another successful season that happened without him in the thick of the action.
Honestly, it's unclear. Rodgers hasn't appeared in a game since Illinois lost to Connecticut in the Elite Eight on March 30, 2024. What's the state of his game two years later? How will his surgically-repaired knee affect what he can do on the court? Has his jumpshot gotten better? All questions that have to be answered by the next team he plays for after entering the transfer portal on April 16.
Toni Bilic
6-8, 210, Forward
Bilic arrived in Champaign in January. He got practice time in with the Illini for roughly three months and was there every step of the Final Four run, but redshirting the remainder of the season was the plan as soon as the Croatian forward arrived on campus.
Bilic's Illinois career will go do down as one of the last impactful from a pure basketball standpoint in program history given he didn't play a single minute before entering the transfer portal on April 11 — a move first reported by and confirmed by ESPN's Jeff Borzello. (Zacharie Perrin at least got 2 minutes on the court before returning to France to cap his even shorter stint in Champaign). Bilic's midseason arrival, though, got the hard part out of the way simply by getting to the U.S. Now he can transfer elsewhere without as much hassle and, perhaps, put his guard skills as a 6-8 forward to use.
Mihailo Petrovic
6-2, 180, Guard
A series of circumstances altered the path most thought Petrovic would take when the veteran Serbian guard first committed to Illinois. A late arrival, literally the day before classes started, meant he missed a crucial summer of workouts. Then preseason injuries kept him off the court in the fall. Wagler's rise to prominence was the final blow, turning Petrovic into a little-used backup guard.
Petrovic announced his intention to transfer April 11, through agent Misko Raznatovic, with ESPN's Jonathan Givony the first to report the decision. It wasn't an unexpected decision given Petrovic's limited playing time this past season, and whether the 23-year-old Serbian winds up on another college campus or back in the Adriatic League remains to be seen. While the Illinois staff was pleased with how Petrovic handled his role this season, there wasn't much of a future for him in Champaign given the questionable fit in the system as a smaller guard who struggled defensively. That said, Petrovic showed character as a good teammate, with his between-the-legs pass to set up an AJ Redd three-pointer on senior night the perfect example.
The possible returners
Brandon Lee
6-4, 195, Guard
Lee played sparingly as a true freshman, buried in the backcourt behind Keaton Wagler, Kylan Boswell and Andrej Stojakovic in an Illinois rotation that settled at eight deep for the majority of the season. Five points, three rebounds and two assists in Illinois' 90-55 rout of Southern on Dec. 29 set career highs all around.
Two of the three guards ahead of Lee in Illinois' rotation this past season won't be there moving forward (as long as Wagler heads to the NBA as expected), but there are more in the pipeline. Lee has an interesting skill set as a physical guard capable of getting to the rim offensively and locking up his opponent defensively. The only question is if he'll see enough available minutes in his future to return to Champaign.
Andrej Stojakovic
6-7, 215, Guard
Stojakovic stressed his biggest takeaway from his first season at Illinois was the way his limits were pushed. How he was challenged to be a more complete player. It wasn't a seamless transition from his status as California's go-to scorer a year prior, but Stojakovic turned into a more efficient overall scorer (despite struggles from three-point range) and a markedly better defender.
All that he accomplished in year one in Champaign ... but better. Especially if he can get his three-point shooting even back to the level it was at Stanford and Cal, which was only 32 percent. Stojakovic's biggest offensive strength — putting pressure on the rim and finishing from all angles — dovetails nicely with the rest of a typical Illinois roster built on spacing the floor.
Blake Fagbemi
6-0, 180, Guard
The former Benet Academy standout (and state champion) was one of the last additions to the Illinois roster. A developmental piece with obvious in-state ties. And that's how Fagbemi's first season played out with the Illini. He appeared in 11 games, with his 14 minutes played and two points and three rebounds totaled in the season opener both season highs that were never matched.
Fagbemi essentially occupies what would have been a walk-on role before college basketball shifted from 13 scholarships to 15 total roster spots. Staying at Illinois means remaining in that role. Real playing time would have to come somewhere else.
Jason Jakstys
6-10, 225, Center
Nine rebounds in 12 minutes for Jakstys in Illinois' season opener against Jackson State was an interesting development. That there was there for the redshirt freshman forward. But playing time was always going to be sparse when the center position was basically going to be a timeshare between the Ivisic twins. A blood clot issue in January made it moot anyway, as Jakstys missed the rest of the season.
Whether Illinois returns the Ivisic twins or goes outside the program for a big man (Luigi Suigo anyone?), Jakstys will likely be in a backup role if he were to return to Champaign. Spot minutes with the Illini or more playing time elsewhere will be his decision to make.
The incoming freshmen
Quentin Coleman
6-4, 180, Guard
Coleman, the latest addition to Illinois' 2026 recruiting class with a Friday-before-the-Final Four commitment, blew up in his senior season at Principia (Mo.). Enough that he requested and received his release from Wake Forest to explore his options. Coleman helped the Panthers (29-2) win the MSHSAA Class 3 state title, scoring 50 points in the championship game, and finished his senior season averaging 23.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.7 steals.
Illinois is losing both of its starting guards with Wagler a high-level NBA draft prospect and Boswell wrapping up his college career this month. Playing time is for the taking, and Coleman's reputation as a scorer puts him in prime position to fill one of those spots in the lineup/rotation.
Lucas Morillo
6-7, 180, Guard
A lot of winning. Morillo, along with Michigan-bound forward Quinn Costello, helped The Newman School (Mass.) got 38-3 this season. The Cardinals also claimed a National Prep Championship title after beating Blair Academy (N.J.) in the championship game. Morillo was a versatile force in that title run and closed out his senior season averaging 17.4 points 56/40/71 shooting to go with 8.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game.
Like Coleman, Morillo has an opportunity to slide into a prominent role in the Illinois rotation as a freshman. That he can pair a versatile skill set alongside what has basically become non-negotiable positional size and shooting to even wind up in Champaign makes him an intriguing piece to next season's roster puzzle.
Ethan Brown
6-4, 180, Guard
Brown's senior season at Rolla (Mo.) capped an impressive high school career. The high-scoring guard averaged 24 points, 6.4 assists, six rebounds and 3.2 steals for the Bulldogs (22-7), who bowed out in the second round of the MSHSAA Class 6 District 2 tournament. Brown's career totals hit 2,523 points, 605 assists, 592 rebounds and 348 steals as a four-year varsity player.
Three high-scoring incoming guards isn't a terrible problem to have for Underwood and Co. Brown didn't play at as high of a level as Coleman (Principia had a partially national schedule this past season) or Morillo (so did the Newman School), but his production can't be ignored. How he'll fit right away at the Big Ten level is a question, but it didn't take Wagler long after a similar high school experience.
Landon Davis
6-8, 210, Forward
Davis helped Waukee (Iowa) Northwest go 20-5 and earn a second straight trip to the IHSAA Class 4A state tournament where the Wolves bowed out in the quarterfinals after last year's runner-up finish. Davis had 11 points, eight rebound and four assists in that quarterfinal loss and closed out his senior season averaging 13.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.4 blocks.
The Illinois frontcourt could again be Balkan-centric next season, but somebody has to fill the role vacated by Humrichous. Davis isn't quite the shooter as Humrichous, but has shown some ability to stretch the floor and could grow into that skill. He might find a limited role as a freshman, but the Illini value his developmental potential.
Continue reading...
We'll track every move concerning the Illinois roster as it happens during another crucial spring for Brad Underwood and Co. as the Illini try to build off their Final Four run with only Kylan Boswell, Ben Humrichous and AJ Redd exhausting their eligibility and unable to return.
The returning players
David Mirkovic
Mirkovic winding up just shy of 500 points, 300 rebounds and 100 assists in his college basketball debut probably should have gotten a bigger push on the national stage. That group latched on to his outsize personality and sort of glossed over the fact he averaged 13.3 points as a 48/38/76 shooter to go with eight rebounds and 2.6 assists per game ... as a 6-9 forward.
All-American? The versatility in his skill set combined with a full summer to work with Adam Fletcher in the weight room and the Illinois staff on the court has the real potential to lead to a sophomore year breakout from a foundation of a seriously impressive freshman season. A sophomore season that will, in fact, happen in Champaign with Mirkovic announcing his return on April 15.
Tomislav Ivisic
7-1, 255, Center
A tonsillectomy in October cost Ivisic 16 practice days and a minor knee injury in early November didn't help matters as the Illinois center tried to find his fit in a new-look frontcourt. A different fit with the Illini using Mirkovic like they did Ivisic a year prior. But Ivisic in the NCAA tournament — 12.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game — was the best version of his new self.
How effective Ivisic is from three-point range will come into play. His success rate from deep dropped from year one (36 percent) to year two (31 percent), while he actually got more efficient scoring in the paint. If he's able to combine his late-season confidence from the Final Four run with his three-point shooting in his debut year, an All-Big Ten caliber big man could be the result for the Illini after he announced his return April 15.
Jake Davis
6-6, 215, Forward
A season to get used to the Big Ten and playing for a power conference team did wonders for Davis, who improved from a 34 percent three-point shooter in 2024-25 for the Illini to a 41 percent three-point shooter this past season. He also showed marked improvement as a defender, fulfilling his role as a glue guy in Champaign.
More of the same. Knock down threes. Defend. Don't make mistakes. Davis found his groove this past season in that role, with just six turnovers in 725 total minutes played an incredible statistic, and it's one he will likely fill again after announcing his return April 15.
Zvonimir Ivisic
7-2, 250, Forward/Center
A season similar to those he spent at Kentucky and Arkansas with flashes of dominance as a rim protector, rim runner and 7-2 three-point shooter, but not consistently. Also another season where he faded off toward the end of the year, including a 14-game stretch in the final two months where he shot 3 of 31 (9.7 percent) from three-point range.
After announcing his return April 15 along with his brother and Davis, Ivisic is likely looking at another season where he's the complementary piece off the bench unless he can turn those flashes where he looks like an NBA-caliber big man into a regular part of his game.
The incoming transfer
Stefan Vaaks
6-7, 212, Guard
The transition to college basketball was an easy one for the 20-year-old Estonian. Vaaks put together an All-Big East Freshman Team caliber season at Providence, finishing what turned out to be a one-and-done year with the Friars averaging 15.8 points on 40/35/84 shooting to go with 3.2 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game. Vaaks hit the transfer portal after the coaching change at Providence and immediately became one of the top guards available.
Brad Underwood clearly has a type. Vaaks is another in a growing line of big guards who can double as scorers and facilitators. Vaaks could slide right into the spot Keaton Wagler just vacated by declaring for the 2026 NBA Draft. How he rebounds and defends will be worth watching, but Vaaks' ability as a scorer — both from range and in getting to the rim — plus a solid assist rate dovetails with what Illinois wants out of that position.
The one-and-done freshman
Keaton Wagler
6-6, 185, Guard
Just the most impressive freshman season in program history (and one of the best for any Illini, ever). Wagler's list of accolades is extensive, with Big Ten Freshman of the Year, consensus Second Team All-American and Jerry West Award winner at the top. All earned after the first-year guard wound up the top scorer and playmaker for a Final Four team.
The pre-draft process is officially underway now that Wagler has declared for the 2026 NBA Draft. That includes keeping an eye on the draft lottery May 10 because one of those teams that is waiting on the ping pong balls will likely select the third one-and-done freshman in Illinois history. (The other two were last year in Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley). The combine will follow in Chicago, and Wagler will have the opportunity to solidify his spot among the top draft prospects.
The transfers out
Ty Rodgers
6-6, 210, Guard/Forward
Rodgers certainly didn't plan on another season on the Illinois bench after his purposeful redshirt year in 2024-25, but an offseason knee injury dictated it. That left the veteran wing doing his best to be a good teammate and lead from the bench during another successful season that happened without him in the thick of the action.
Honestly, it's unclear. Rodgers hasn't appeared in a game since Illinois lost to Connecticut in the Elite Eight on March 30, 2024. What's the state of his game two years later? How will his surgically-repaired knee affect what he can do on the court? Has his jumpshot gotten better? All questions that have to be answered by the next team he plays for after entering the transfer portal on April 16.
Toni Bilic
6-8, 210, Forward
Bilic arrived in Champaign in January. He got practice time in with the Illini for roughly three months and was there every step of the Final Four run, but redshirting the remainder of the season was the plan as soon as the Croatian forward arrived on campus.
Bilic's Illinois career will go do down as one of the last impactful from a pure basketball standpoint in program history given he didn't play a single minute before entering the transfer portal on April 11 — a move first reported by and confirmed by ESPN's Jeff Borzello. (Zacharie Perrin at least got 2 minutes on the court before returning to France to cap his even shorter stint in Champaign). Bilic's midseason arrival, though, got the hard part out of the way simply by getting to the U.S. Now he can transfer elsewhere without as much hassle and, perhaps, put his guard skills as a 6-8 forward to use.
Mihailo Petrovic
6-2, 180, Guard
A series of circumstances altered the path most thought Petrovic would take when the veteran Serbian guard first committed to Illinois. A late arrival, literally the day before classes started, meant he missed a crucial summer of workouts. Then preseason injuries kept him off the court in the fall. Wagler's rise to prominence was the final blow, turning Petrovic into a little-used backup guard.
Petrovic announced his intention to transfer April 11, through agent Misko Raznatovic, with ESPN's Jonathan Givony the first to report the decision. It wasn't an unexpected decision given Petrovic's limited playing time this past season, and whether the 23-year-old Serbian winds up on another college campus or back in the Adriatic League remains to be seen. While the Illinois staff was pleased with how Petrovic handled his role this season, there wasn't much of a future for him in Champaign given the questionable fit in the system as a smaller guard who struggled defensively. That said, Petrovic showed character as a good teammate, with his between-the-legs pass to set up an AJ Redd three-pointer on senior night the perfect example.
The possible returners
Brandon Lee
6-4, 195, Guard
Lee played sparingly as a true freshman, buried in the backcourt behind Keaton Wagler, Kylan Boswell and Andrej Stojakovic in an Illinois rotation that settled at eight deep for the majority of the season. Five points, three rebounds and two assists in Illinois' 90-55 rout of Southern on Dec. 29 set career highs all around.
Two of the three guards ahead of Lee in Illinois' rotation this past season won't be there moving forward (as long as Wagler heads to the NBA as expected), but there are more in the pipeline. Lee has an interesting skill set as a physical guard capable of getting to the rim offensively and locking up his opponent defensively. The only question is if he'll see enough available minutes in his future to return to Champaign.
Andrej Stojakovic
6-7, 215, Guard
Stojakovic stressed his biggest takeaway from his first season at Illinois was the way his limits were pushed. How he was challenged to be a more complete player. It wasn't a seamless transition from his status as California's go-to scorer a year prior, but Stojakovic turned into a more efficient overall scorer (despite struggles from three-point range) and a markedly better defender.
All that he accomplished in year one in Champaign ... but better. Especially if he can get his three-point shooting even back to the level it was at Stanford and Cal, which was only 32 percent. Stojakovic's biggest offensive strength — putting pressure on the rim and finishing from all angles — dovetails nicely with the rest of a typical Illinois roster built on spacing the floor.
Blake Fagbemi
6-0, 180, Guard
The former Benet Academy standout (and state champion) was one of the last additions to the Illinois roster. A developmental piece with obvious in-state ties. And that's how Fagbemi's first season played out with the Illini. He appeared in 11 games, with his 14 minutes played and two points and three rebounds totaled in the season opener both season highs that were never matched.
Fagbemi essentially occupies what would have been a walk-on role before college basketball shifted from 13 scholarships to 15 total roster spots. Staying at Illinois means remaining in that role. Real playing time would have to come somewhere else.
Jason Jakstys
6-10, 225, Center
Nine rebounds in 12 minutes for Jakstys in Illinois' season opener against Jackson State was an interesting development. That there was there for the redshirt freshman forward. But playing time was always going to be sparse when the center position was basically going to be a timeshare between the Ivisic twins. A blood clot issue in January made it moot anyway, as Jakstys missed the rest of the season.
Whether Illinois returns the Ivisic twins or goes outside the program for a big man (Luigi Suigo anyone?), Jakstys will likely be in a backup role if he were to return to Champaign. Spot minutes with the Illini or more playing time elsewhere will be his decision to make.
The incoming freshmen
Quentin Coleman
6-4, 180, Guard
Coleman, the latest addition to Illinois' 2026 recruiting class with a Friday-before-the-Final Four commitment, blew up in his senior season at Principia (Mo.). Enough that he requested and received his release from Wake Forest to explore his options. Coleman helped the Panthers (29-2) win the MSHSAA Class 3 state title, scoring 50 points in the championship game, and finished his senior season averaging 23.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.7 steals.
Illinois is losing both of its starting guards with Wagler a high-level NBA draft prospect and Boswell wrapping up his college career this month. Playing time is for the taking, and Coleman's reputation as a scorer puts him in prime position to fill one of those spots in the lineup/rotation.
Lucas Morillo
6-7, 180, Guard
A lot of winning. Morillo, along with Michigan-bound forward Quinn Costello, helped The Newman School (Mass.) got 38-3 this season. The Cardinals also claimed a National Prep Championship title after beating Blair Academy (N.J.) in the championship game. Morillo was a versatile force in that title run and closed out his senior season averaging 17.4 points 56/40/71 shooting to go with 8.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game.
Like Coleman, Morillo has an opportunity to slide into a prominent role in the Illinois rotation as a freshman. That he can pair a versatile skill set alongside what has basically become non-negotiable positional size and shooting to even wind up in Champaign makes him an intriguing piece to next season's roster puzzle.
Ethan Brown
6-4, 180, Guard
Brown's senior season at Rolla (Mo.) capped an impressive high school career. The high-scoring guard averaged 24 points, 6.4 assists, six rebounds and 3.2 steals for the Bulldogs (22-7), who bowed out in the second round of the MSHSAA Class 6 District 2 tournament. Brown's career totals hit 2,523 points, 605 assists, 592 rebounds and 348 steals as a four-year varsity player.
Three high-scoring incoming guards isn't a terrible problem to have for Underwood and Co. Brown didn't play at as high of a level as Coleman (Principia had a partially national schedule this past season) or Morillo (so did the Newman School), but his production can't be ignored. How he'll fit right away at the Big Ten level is a question, but it didn't take Wagler long after a similar high school experience.
Landon Davis
6-8, 210, Forward
Davis helped Waukee (Iowa) Northwest go 20-5 and earn a second straight trip to the IHSAA Class 4A state tournament where the Wolves bowed out in the quarterfinals after last year's runner-up finish. Davis had 11 points, eight rebound and four assists in that quarterfinal loss and closed out his senior season averaging 13.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.4 blocks.
The Illinois frontcourt could again be Balkan-centric next season, but somebody has to fill the role vacated by Humrichous. Davis isn't quite the shooter as Humrichous, but has shown some ability to stretch the floor and could grow into that skill. He might find a limited role as a freshman, but the Illini value his developmental potential.
Continue reading...
