Basketball

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 12, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

(Editor's note: this is the third in a series as Ked highlights several Illinois basketball players and what their development could mean for the Fighting Illini this season.)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — When Tomislav Ivisic first arrived at Illinois from Croatia, the expectations were enormous.

The 7-foot-1 center arrived in Champaign with the reputation of a player unlike almost any the Illini had seen. A European big man who could shoot like a combo guard, pass like a point guard, and stretch defenses with his versatility, Ivisic generated plenty of excitement the moment he committed to Illinois.

Now entering his third season, the buzz surrounding Ivisic has returned. This time, however, it is not because of what people believe he can become. It is because of what those around the program are already seeing.

The word circulating around Illinois basketball is simple: he's built different.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 6, 2026

(Editor's note: this is the second in a series as Ked highlights several Illinois basketball players and what their development could mean for the Fighting Illini this season.)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — By the time June arrives, most college basketball programs have wrapped up their transfer portal additions and high school recruiting classes. The attention shifts to summer workouts, player development and preparing for the upcoming season.

Illinois appeared to be finished adding to its roster.

Then came June 8th.

The Fighting Illini landed a commitment from 6-foot-5, 180-pound wing Lincoln Williams of Kankakee, Illinois, giving Brad Underwood another intriguing athlete with tremendous upside. While many fans had forgotten about Williams by early summer, Illinois never did.

Williams had been a familiar face around the program for years, attending Illinois practices and games more times than most could count.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 4, 2026

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Expectations around the Illinois men's basketball program have never been higher entering a season under head coach Brad Underwood. After reaching the program's first Final Four since 2005, the Fighting Illini have returned the core of that team, added elite talent through recruiting and the transfer portal, and have positioned themselves as one of the favorites to win the national championship.

The combination of experience, size, athleticism and depth has many around college basketball believing this could be the most complete Illinois team of the modern era. If those expectations are met, the Fighting Illini could find themselves cutting down the nets next April in Detroit.

This past March 28th, Illinois punched its ticket to the Final Four for the first time since the 2005 season with a 71-59 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes in Houston. The Illini's memorable run ended April 4th with a 71-62 loss to UConn in Indianapolis.

Illinois knew it would lose All-American freshman guard Keaton Wagler to the NBA Draft. Wagler was selected with the No. 5 overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers. His departure was expected, but the priority for the Illinois coaching staff was retaining the stars who fueled the Final Four run.

The Illini accomplished exactly that.

Starting power forward David Mirkovic officially returned, along with twin brothers Tomislav Ivisic and Zvonimir Ivisic. Illinois also brings back Andrej Stojakovic, the only McDonald's All-American on the roster. Keeping that nucleus together sent a message that elite players can stay together in today's college basketball landscape.

Because of that continuity, along with several key additions, Illinois has become one of the nation's consensus favorites entering the 2026-27 season.

The preseason rankings reflect those expectations.

By Zeno Jo - IlliniGuys Staff Writer August 4, […]

Despite it getting eleventh-hour approval from the Big Ten Conference, this version of the Protect College Sports Act couldn’t possibly be what anybody with Illini football wanted.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

August 2, 2026

The Friday night news dump of the Big Ten Conference and Southeastern Conference leadership giving its public approval for a revised Protect College Sports Act does provide a pathway for federal legislation to be voted before the congressional recess in early August.

Despite the fact that there isn’t a clear indication in the legislation language about whom exactly is providing the protection of violations of this future federal law, how that protection is getting implemented or what the penalties of those violators will be (sure, because despite over 100 years of history let’s just assume all college administrators and coaches will suddenly turn toward compliance) around 9 p.m. CST on Friday, July 31, the Big Ten and SEC struck a deal with federal lawmakers over legislation to regulate the college sports industry.

Sounds great, right? Wrong.

The negotiations between U.S. senators and conference executives over the bill resulted in legislation that doesn’t help University of Illinois athletics at all. Two of the three highest paid administrators inside Champaign-Urbana, specifically as athletics director Josh Whitman, and football head coach Bret Bielema) couldn’t have possibly wanted this result.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 30, 2026

(Editor's note: this is the second in a series as Ked highlights several Illinois basketball players and what their development could mean for the Fighting Illini this season.)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Few freshmen arrive on campus with as much excitement as Quentin Coleman.

The 6-foot-4 combo guard from St. Louis is Illinois' highest-rated incoming freshman. ESPN ranked Coleman as the nation's No. 24 overall prospect in the 2026 recruiting class, and his ranking suggests he is ready to compete immediately at the Big Ten level.

Coleman earned back-to-back Missouri Class AAA Player of the Year honors after leading his school to consecutive Class AAA state championships. As a senior, he averaged 23.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.7 steals per game while leading his team to a 29-2 record.

One of his most memorable performances came in a 98-34 victory over Miller Career Academy, when he finished with 50 points, eight rebounds, seven steals and three assists.

His amazing high school career also included the Mr. Show-Me Basketball award, Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year honors and MVP recognition at the Iverson Classic after recording 31 points and 12 rebounds.

Coleman has continued to impress throughout the summer at Illinois as well.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

July 26, 2026

NaVarro Bowman Jr. is planning a fall visit to the Illinois campus. (Courtesy Prep Hoops)

(Cover photo courtesy USA Basketball)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois continues to recruit at a national level, and the Fighting Illini are showing no signs of slowing down on the recruiting trail.

Brad Underwood and his coaching staff have made it a priority to pursue difference makers to keep Illinois at the top of college basketball. That approach has Illinois firmly in the mix for two of the nation's premier young prospects; one of the top point guards in the Class of 2027 and one of the most unique big men in the Class of 2028.

Both recruits are ranked in ESPN's Top 25 for their respective classes. The Illini continue to stack elite recruiting targets as they look to build for the future.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 25, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – For years, high-major programs across the country routinely pulled elite talent out of Chicago powerhouse Whitney Young Magnet High School while Illinois struggled to keep those players home. Illinois coach Shauna Green finally changed that narrative with the signing of standout point guard Destiny Jackson, and the freshman rewarded that faith with one of the best debut seasons in program history.

Jackson quickly became one of the most dynamic guards in the Big Ten. She finished first among Illinois freshmen in assists for both a season and career mark, while also ending her freshman campaign 10th on the school’s freshman scoring list.

IlliniGuys recently caught up with Jackson’s mother, Teshunda Crockrell, to discuss her daughter’s first season at Illinois, the program’s future, and why the Illini continue to feel like the right fit for their family.

Crockrell said Green and her staff delivered on the vision they presented during the recruiting process.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 23, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Brent Zinkmann/IlliniGuys)

(Editor's note: this is the first in a series as Ked highlights several Illinois basketball players and what their development could mean for the Fighting Illini this season.)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — There's no question that senior wing Andrej Stojakovic, one of Illinois' most important players on next season’s roster.

The 6-foot-7 transfer from California came to Champaign with an impressive resume. Last season for Illinois, Stojakovic scored a season-high 26 points while shooting 11 for 16 from the field against then-No. 11 Alabama. He also recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds against then-No. 23 Nebraska and earned NCAA Tournament All-South Region Team honors.

While his production speaks for itself, much of Stojakovic's offseason has centered on refining parts of his game that could elevate him from a productive college player into an NBA prospect.

Stojakovic recently underwent a minor knee procedure to clean up an issue in his leg after suffering the minor injury during postseason workouts. The procedure kept him out of full basketball activities for part of the offseason, although he continued to spend significant time in the gym working on his shooting. He was cleared for full-contact basketball last week.

Illinois star forward Cearah Parchment contributed nearly 15 minutes of action off the bench in Team Canada’s dominating exhibition victory over defending national champion UCLA.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 23, 2026

Cearah Parchment can now return to her college campus as one of the few players in college basketball knowing what a win against UCLA feels like.

Parchment was the first substitution off the bench of Team Canada Wednesday night in a 69-55 victory over the defending national champion Bruins in an exhibition game at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia.

Team Canada head coach Nell Fortner, a former Division I head coach at Purdue, Auburn and Georgia Tech, didn’t waste time getting the Illini second-year forward in the game despite Parchment, who just turned 19 years old earlier this month, being the youngest member of the Team Canada training camp roster. Parchment, who finished with two points, six rebounds, two steals, an assist and only one turnover in nearly 15 minutes of action, was the first substitution off Fortner’s bench on a roster packed with several professional players and college stars.

Parchment checked into the exhibition game just three minutes and 37 seconds after the opening tip to immediately renew a battle between two Big Ten All-Freshman Team selections matching up with Sienna Betts in the post.

By IlliniGuys Staff

July 22, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst Brad Sturdy delivered the following notes regarding the Illini men's basketball team's summer workouts on our premium message forum.

You can join in the conversation here:

https://illiniguys.com/forum/threads/illiniguys-insider-notebook.24502/

A few Summer Notes...

*Everyone is back and they had quite a run during workouts yesterday. A few notes on each guy

Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks had a play where he caught it half court and then

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

July 21, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Chicago Sun-Times)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Few players in Illinois' loaded 2028 recruiting class have seen their stock rise as quickly as Neuqua Valley four-star wing Cole Kelly. If not for Bolingbrook guard Brady Pettigrew holding the consensus spot as the state's No. 1 prospect according to PrepHoops, Kelly would have a strong case to claim that spot.

The Naperville native has emerged as one of the Midwest's most sought-after prospects, attracting attention from several Big Ten powers. Purdue, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Illinois have all made Kelly a priority. According to those close to his recruitment, however, the race currently appears to be down to four schools: Illinois, Purdue, Wisconsin and Iowa. Kelly's most recent campus visit came at Purdue in early June.

"I’ve been hearing from a number of high-major programs, and things have really picked up this summer. I’m grateful for all the interest, but right now I’m focused on building relationships, learning about each program, and taking my time through the recruiting process," Kelly said.

The 6-foot-7 small forward has backed up the recruiting interest with an outstanding summer on the Adidas 3SSB circuit, where he plays for Breakaway Basketball. Kelly averaged 17.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 45.9 from the field, 36.4 from 3-point range and 60.7 from the free-throw line on the Adidas 3SSB circuit this summer.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

July 20, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — One of the nation's fastest-rising prospects added another major offer to his growing list Friday after a dominant stretch at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam.

Illinois men's basketball coaches Brad Underwood and Orlando Antigua extended an offer to 2028 five-star center Benjamin Berrouet of Dynamic Prep in McKinney, Texas, after watching him continue to establish himself as one of the premier players in the country. ESPN ranks Berrouet as the No. 6 player nationally in the 2028 class, and his performance at Peach Jam only strengthened that reputation.

The 6-foot-8, 240-pound center has been one of the event's most productive players while competing for AB Elite at Nike Peach Jam in North Augusta, South Carolina. Through the event, Berrouet is averaging 18.4 points and 14 rebounds per game, displaying the complete skill set that has made him one of the most coveted prospects in the country.

IlliniGuys caught up with Berrouet to discuss his new Illinois offer and why the Illini joined a lengthy list of national programs pursuing him.

"I had some contact with Illinois in the past, but if I am being honest, I haven't really heard from them since June 15, so the offer from coach (Brad) Underwood and coach (Orlando) Antigua did surprise me a little bit," Berrouet said.

Both sides of the marriage between the University of Illinois and its athletics director Josh Whitman recognize it is one that needs to be extended and should be cherished. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

July 18, 2026

CHAMPAIGN — One of the more honest, frustrating and, more often than not, legitimate complaints given by Illini sports fans is the university they love doesn’t always make easy decisions look easy. 

Administration at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has a had an historic knack for, apologies for the sports cliche here, being approached with a three-foot putt, a layup, a tush push situation or an underhanded toss and making it much more complicated, convoluted, tangled, tortuous and ultimately, bungled.

On Thursday, Illinois made the easy look easy. Josh Whitman was given a multi-year contract that nearly doubles the athletic director’s annual salary less than a calendar year after receiving a similar deal. Call it a reward,

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 17, 2026

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois has become more than a Big Ten contender under Brad Underwood. The Fighting Illini have evolved into one of college basketball's emerging pipelines to the NBA, a trend that continues to gain momentum with every recruiting class and every draft cycle.

Underwood understood from the beginning that elevating Illinois into the nation's elite required more than winning games. It meant developing players into NBA talent and hearing their names called on draft night. 

That vision is becoming a reality, and NBA executives have taken notice.