Basketball

By Zeno Jo - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 16, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Chicago Sun-Times)

Brad Underwood’s success at Illinois goes further than seven straight 20-win seasons.

Entering his 10th season in Champaign, Underwood’s got a trophy cabinet that might be starting to run out of space. Even outside of the rivalry trophies and custom-made plaques (or guitars), Underwood has brought home three Big Ten titles in his time with the Illini, with two coming through the tournament and one in the regular season.

In this installation of “Where Are They Now?”, we’re going to go back to the first of Underwood’s Big Ten titles, and see where members of that 2020-21 season are now.

Before going into the “Who” of the Big Ten title-winning team, we need to look at the “What”. What made winning a Big Ten title so special? It’s a question that’s easier to answer based on how many years you’ve been an Illinois basketball fan. Underwood, by defeating Ohio State 91-88 in overtime of the Big Ten Championship game, ended a run of 15 years without a conference title for the Illini. The last one came in 2005, when Deron Williams and Dee Brown ended the year as national runner-ups.

Undoubtedly, the “one” of the “one-two punch” for the season was Ayo Dosunmu. Entering that season as a junior, he returned to Illinois after flirting with the idea of entering the NBA Draft. He ended the season as the team’s leader in points and assists with 20.1 and 5.2.

As the Illini emerging star forward enters her second season of college basketball, her 2026 summer schedule now includes playing for Team Canada in an Olympic Games tryout.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 13, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN — Cearah Parchment’s summer has become a lot busier than the 19-year-old imagined it would be. And her college head coach is now trying to map out a plan for the rising star forward.

When Parchment was one of 17 players selected by Canada Basketball last month for an initial training camp in Montreal, a large part of her didn’t ultimately assume she’d be asked to return. However, that is exactly what is happening now.

The second-year forward at Illinois is being asked by Canada Basketball executives and coaches to be part of a roster of the country’s elite basketball talent in a second training camp in Victoria, British Columbia. Team Canada, which is currently ranked seventh in the world and has qualified for the last four Olympic Games, is preparing a roster for the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico.

As Illinois continues its summer workout sessions inside the Ubben Basketball Complex, Parchment has been active for these practice sessions since returning from the initial training camp in late June.

By IlliniGuys Staff July 13, 2026 (Cover photo courtesy […]

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 11, 2026

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — For much of the pre-draft process, former Illinois guard Kylan Boswell's name consistently appeared on NBA mock drafts, most often as a second-round selection. Some evaluators believed there was an outside chance he could sneak into the first round, but that opportunity never materialized.

What followed, however, may have been an even better outcome.

After going undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft, Boswell quickly found a home with the Charlotte Hornets, signing a two-way contract that gives the 21-year-old guard an opportunity to develop while proving he belongs at the next level. For the Boswell family, the destination and the organization's commitment ultimately mattered more than hearing his name called on draft night.

Boswell worked out for several NBA franchises during the pre-draft process: the Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, and Golden State Warriors. Sources believed Golden State would select him with its second-round pick at No. 54, but the Warriors instead drafted 6-foot-7 Florida State guard Lajae Jones.

Boswell's father, Brandon Boswell, spoke with IlliniGuys on Friday evening about the journey that led his son to Charlotte.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 10, 2026

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Expectations have rarely been higher for the Illinois men's basketball program, and early reports from summer workouts suggest there may be good reason for the optimism. National analysts have already placed the Fighting Illini among the country's elite, and those around the program believe this roster has the size, depth, and talent to compete with anyone in college basketball.

The Athletic tabbed Illinois as its preseason No. 1 team in the country, while ESPN ranked the Illini No. 3, behind No. 1 Florida and No. 2 Duke.

Much of the excitement centers around Illinois' talented group of newcomers, along with the development of several returning players. One addition generating plenty of buzz is Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks.

The 6-foot-7 guard has spent the summer playing for Estonia in FIBA competition and has looked every bit as good as advertised. Known for his scoring ability, Vaaks is expected to add another dynamic offensive weapon to an already talented Illinois roster.

According to a source, the early returns have been impressive.

Illinois power forward David Mirkovic had a season like no other freshman in the nation. And he did it playing next to an All-American.

By Larry Smith - IlliniGuys Co-Founder

July 8, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN - As the parade of one year college players made their way one by one to the NBA Draft stage to open the first round of selections in Brooklyn, New York last month, there was one freshman watching from home who had done something that none of them had accomplished.

During the 2025-26 season, there were two college basketball freshmen who...

Averaged 13 points per game,

8 rebounds per game,

2 assists per game,

All while shooting 38 percent from three-point range.

One of them was national player of the year Cameron Boozer of Duke. But unlike Boozer - the center of attention all season long for the Blue Devils, Illinois forward David Mirkovic did it playing next to an All-American.

Make no mistake, "Mirk" is special.

"The old cliche, I've used it a million times", says Illinois head coach Brad Underwood.

July 7, 2026

There is an Illini flavor on the NBA Summer League courts this month. 

No fewer than 11 players who once wore Illinois uniforms are on NBA summer rosters. Here are their teams and their game schedules this month in Las Vegas:

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

July 4, 2026

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois continues to make a strong impression on one of the nation's top basketball prospects.

Earlier this week, the Illini hosted Brady Pettigrew, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound shooting guard from Bolingbrook High School, for an unofficial visit.

Pettigrew, who is ranked No. 13 nationally in the Class of 2028 by ESPN, spent time touring campus, watching a team workout, and getting another firsthand look at one of the country's rising basketball programs.

By the end of the visit, it was clear the experience resonated with both Pettigrew and his family.

By IlliniGuys Staff

July 3, 2026

CHAMPAIGN - It's been three months since Brad Underwood walked onto the court in Indianapolis for the first time as the head coach of a Final Four team and yet there is one thing he has yet to do.

Reflect on what his Illini team accomplished last season,

"It's been very hectic", Underwood told reporters this week. "I watched the games about ten days or two weeks ago. I think there's a great appreciation for what we went through this year.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

June 29, 2026

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. —  The University of Illinois has long been known for producing elite athletes. During the 1990s, the football program earned the nickname "Linebacker U," thanks to stars such as Kevin Hardy, Simeon Rice, John Holecek, and Dana Howard. Long before that, Hall of Famer Dick Butkus laid the foundation for one of college football's proudest traditions.

Now, nearly three decades later, another Illinois program is building its own identity.

Under head coach Brad Underwood, Illinois men's basketball has quietly become one of the nation's premier destinations for elite guards. With Final Four and Elite Eight appearances in recent seasons, multiple first-round NBA Draft picks, and a growing list of professional success stories, the Illini are earning a new reputation.

According to current Illinois freshman guard Quentin Coleman and one of the nation's top prospects, the Illini are becoming "Guard U."

That reputation will be on display today as Brady Pettigrew, ESPN's No. 13-ranked player nationally in the Class of 2028 and the No. 1 player in Illinois, visits Champaign.

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound shooting guard from Bolingbrook, Illinois, spoke with IlliniGuys late Sunday night before arriving on campus.

"I definitely agree with 'Q,' Quentin. With the guard play at Illinois, they are big on giving their guards space to create and play their game, which complements my game heavily."

There has been growing speculation that Pettigrew could reclassify into the Class of 2027, although plenty would have to happen before that becomes a reality. It is being discussed.

Pettigrew is coming off an outstanding season for Bolingbrook High School, averaging 21.4 points, five rebounds, and three assists per game. While those numbers stand out, his electrifying style of play has captured the attention of many of the nation's top programs. His performance this summer with Brad Beal Elite has only elevated his national profile.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

June 26, 2026

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois women’s basketball program continues to make a strong push on the recruiting trail for the Class of 2027.

Under head coach Shauna Green, the Fighting Illini have established themselves as one of the nation’s premier programs. As a result, Green and her staff are recruiting at an elite level, pursuing some of the top prospects in the country.

One of those prospects was in Champaign on Thursday as Illinois hosted Sydney Mobley, a 6-foot-1 forward from Big Walnut High School in Ohio.

For the second straight season, Illinois has agreed to […]

Wagler becomes the first former Illinois player to be […]

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Co-Owner & Insider/Analyst June […]

ESPN.com NBA reporter Shams Charania has reported former Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu has agreed to sign a five-year contract worth a total of $112 million.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

June 23, 2026

When his reported deal is finalized, Ayo Dosunmu will have signed the most lucrative contract of any former University of Illinois basketball player in program history.

Dosunmu, 26, has verbally agreed to sign a five-year contract worth a total of $112 million to remain with the Minnesota Timberwolves. ESPN.com NBA reporter Shams Charania was the first to report this news late Monday evening and included details in this deal that a player option in the fifth season is included in the third NBA contract for the former Illini All-America selection.

Charania reported Monday evening Minnesota, who shipped three-time All-Star forward Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team trade that also involved Chicago earlier in the night, made it a summer priority to sign Dosunmu long term after his tremendous performance in the postseason.

Because Chicago is using cap space to acquire center Nic Claxton, the three-team deal cannot be finalized until July 6, according to ESPN.com salary cap expert Bobby Marks. Therefore, Dosunmu’s deal can not be signed until at least after the trade is announced because he will have the $15.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception and the $5.5 million biannual exception to fill out the roster in free agency and had a $33.3 million trade exception created.

Dosunmu, who is represented by Mike Lindeman and Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management, emerged as a rotation player for Minnesota after being traded by the Chicago Bulls in February.