Basketball

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 28, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – For the past four years, much of the attention in college athletics has centered on the transfer portal. While it continues to play an important role in roster building, there is a noticeable shift back toward recruiting and developing high school talent. Illinois is no exception. This year’s roster features several experienced transfers, but one freshman in particular is already creating buzz among those around the program.

Keaton Wagler arrived at Illinois this summer with a strong resume.

By IlliniGuys Staff

(Cover photo courtesy Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette)

Illinois has been blessed with some immensely talented basketball players over the years.  All-Americans, Big Ten Players of the Year, and those who have reached the penultimate level in college hoops.

IlliniGuys co-owners Mike Cagley, Larry Smith, and Brad Sturdy and IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting Kedric Prince all grew up in the 1970s and 80s, so we posed the question - who is the greatest Illini power forward in your lifetime?

That was the debate in this edition of the I On The Illini podcast:

https://illiniguys.com/illiniguys-top-fighting-illini-pfs-in-our-lifetime-4-star-2027-qb-commit-fantastic-four-first-steps-movie-review-491/

(From Illinois Sports Information Office) CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – One of […]

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 26, 2025

Today’s Focus features Illinois women’s guard Erica Finney.

Player Biography: Erica Finney, a 6-foot-0 guard from Sydney, Australia, is ranked as the No. 13 prospect by SportsEngine Global Rankings. She represented New South Wales at the 2024 Australian National Championships, where she averaged 12.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game, while shooting 41.1 percent from 3-point range.

What we know:

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 25, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Today’s player focus features Illinois men’s guard Jake Davis.

Player Biography: Jake Davis transferred to Illinois from Mercer, becoming the first recruit landed by Illinois assistant coach Tyler Underwood, with help from head coach Brad Underwood.

A 6-foot-6 wing from McCordsville, Ind. (Cathedral), Davis played in 32 games last season for the Illini. During his senior year of high school, he was named Academic All-State and selected to the Indianapolis Supreme 15. He also helped lead Cathedral to the 2022 Indiana Class 4A state championship.

What we know:

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 26, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois women’s basketball staff spent the summer evaluating potential recruits, attending AAU events to keep close tabs on players. Some of those athletes already hold offers, while others are still hoping the Illini will be the next to extend one.

One of the top players in that spotlight is Quincy native Khloe Nicholson, a four-star sophomore who received an offer from Illinois last year as a freshman.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 23, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Naperville Sun)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois men’s basketball program continues to line up key visits this fall, and with its national reputation, the Illini are attracting really good talent.

Cole Kelly, a 6-foot-6, 185-pound small forward from Naperville (Neuqua Valley High School), recently shared on Twitter (X) that he has two unofficial visits scheduled. He will visit Nebraska this weekend before making his way to Illinois on Sept. 27.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 22, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

CHAMPAIGN - Illinois men’s basketball continues to establish itself as a national recruiting presence, with more than 35 Division I offers extended to members of the class of 2026.

Since head coach Brad Underwood’s arrival in March 2017, the Illini have resurrected their program to prominence largely through recruiting, now competing consistently for elite high school talent again. That work has paid off again, as Jasiah Jervis, ranked the nation’s No. 50 player by ESPN, has included Illinois in his final list of eight schools.

By IlliniGuys Staff

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Illinois has been blessed with some immensely talented basketball players over the years.  All-Americans, Big Ten Players of the Year, and those who have reached the penultimate level in college hoops.

IlliniGuys co-owners Mike Cagley, Larry Smith, and Brad Sturdy and IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting Kedric Prince all grew up in the 1970s and 80s, so we posed the question - who is the greatest Illini small forward in your lifetime?

That was the debate in this edition of the I On The Illini podcast:

https://illiniguys.com/illiniguys-top-fighting-illini-sfs-in-our-lifetime-490/

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 21, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy player's Hudl page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fall typically signals the start of college football, but for those who follow basketball recruiting, it also means high school players begin narrowing their lists of potential schools, scheduling official visits, and in some cases, committing before their senior seasons tip off.

Quentin Coleman, a 6-foot-3, 170-pound shooting guard from The Principia School in Saint Louis, has announced his final six programs. His list includes Illinois, Saint Louis, Texas A&M, Iowa, Wake Forest, and Texas Tech. Each program is making a strong push to land the talented shooting guard, with hopes of getting him on campus soon and securing a commitment.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 16, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. –  Illinois men’s basketball head coach Brad Underwood has successfully put the Fighting Illini back on the national stage. This is evident not only in their victories, but also in the number of players hearing their names called on draft day.

Diehard fans will remember Morgan Park star Ayo Dosunmu being called the "pied piper" when he became the first big name to commit to Underwood's Illini program. The dynamic guard went on to earn first-team All-American honors and gain national player of the year consideration while lifting Illinois from a school-record 21 losses his freshman year to a Big Ten championship and number one seed in the 2021 NCAA tournament. Dosunmu was taken early in the second round of that summer's NBA Draft by his hometown Chicago Bulls, but experts later surmised that his level of play his rookie season instead warranted being a lottery pick.

Fast-forward four years and Underwood and staff now carry a very special card in their pocket when visiting prospective players

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

August 19, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

The Meanstreets 16U squad had a great run at the Peach Jam, in large part due to the performance of three of the top players on the EYBL 16U circuit. Jaxson Davis, Quniton Kitt and Davion Thompson led the way as Meanstreets showed out over the course of the summer.

Davis, the 6’0 PG from Warren, was the ultimate floor leader, scoring 18 points per game and dishing out 6 assists and even grabbing 5 rebounds. He was also one of the most efficient players on the circuit, shooting 43% on 120 attempts. Throw in 48% shooting from 2 and 80% from the line, while boasting a better than 5 to 1 assist to turnover ratio and you see why he is so coveted by the Illini and others.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 18, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Talented nontraditional big men are rare in today’s game, especially those who can score with their back to the basket while also stretching the floor. Aliou Dioum, a standout in the 2026 class, is one of those versatile prospects, and Illinois is still in the running for his commitment.

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

August 15, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy player's Hudl page)

School is back in session and the football season is just weeks away from kicking off.  That means it's "visit season" - time for prospective Illini to come in, tour the campus and facilities, and hear why they should choose Illinois over their other suitors.

For the first time in decades, prospective Illini student-athletes will be taking in home games of a football program ranked in the top 15. Illinois men's basketball plans to take advantage of that raucous atmosphere.  Here's a look at some of the recruits making arrangements to be in Champaign:

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 14, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy USA Basketball)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois men’s basketball program is wasting no time making waves in the 2026 recruiting cycle, securing two early commitments while positioning itself for a run at one of the top prospects in the nation.

Head coach Brad Underwood and his staff have already landed Ethan Brown, a 6-foot-4, 175-pound combo guard from Rolla, Mo., and Landon Davis, a 6-foot-8, 210-pound power forward from Waukee, Iowa. Both are three-star prospects who bring skill, versatility, and competitive toughness to the class.

But Illinois’ recruiting push isn’t slowing down. On the weekend of September 12th, when the No. 12 Illini football team hosts Western Michigan, four-star forward Cameron Holmes from Goodyear, Ariz., will be in Champaign for a visit.