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By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

July 1, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – During Will Riley’s AAU Nike Summer sessions, NBA chatter was already beginning to follow him. The talk of being a potential one-and-done prospect was real. At 6-foot-8 and 185 pounds, the combo wing quickly earned a reputation as a natural scorer.

When Illinois associate head coach Orlando Antigua first saw Riley in action on the Nike AAU circuit, he immediately alerted head coach Brad Underwood to prioritize the recruitment. The Illini staff recognized early on that Riley was a difference-maker, and so did programs like Arkansas, Kentucky, Arizona, Michigan, Texas Tech, and Villanova.

A native of Kitchener, Ontario, Riley made an instant impact at Illinois. In his freshman debut, he poured in 31 points against Eastern Illinois, setting a school record for the most points by a freshman in a debut. It also marked the first time a Big Ten freshman had scored at least 30 points in a season opener since Nov. 12, 2007.

Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular June 30, 2025 Wednesday […]

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

June 29, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Since the moment Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis stepped foot on the Illinois campus, talk of his NBA future was unavoidable. Scouts, analysts, and coaches alike touted the Lithuanian guard as a potential lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

But when June 25 arrived, the one-time projected lottery pick slid to the No. 20 overall selection.

After the draft concluded, a source with NBA ties shed light on why Jakucionis went from lottery lock to a late first-rounder.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst June 28, […]

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

June 26, 2025

Illinois continued to roll along with its recent recruiting haul with the highest rated recruit of the Class of 2026 so far: 4-star tackle Kai Pritchard of Donovan Catholic in Toms River, NJ.  Pritchard is a recruit with good size at 6'5 275 and good athleticism, but what makes him special is his first step.  He has the initial quickness that creates an advantage over the defender on every single play.  Illinois beat dozens of schools to gain Pritchard's commitment, but in the end it came down to Pritchard's home state school of Rutgers versus the stronger program at Illinois.

What does he bring to the Orange and Blue?

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

June 25, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy ESPN)

Will Riley was seen as a late first or early second round pick heading into the NBA Draft Wednesday night, but Riley was easily in the 1st round, going at #21 to the Washington Wizards. 

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

June 25, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy ESPN)

There are always lottery picks that slide later in the first round, but sometimes you find a great fit in that late first round. For Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis, the fall to #20 led to a tremendous opportunity with the Miami Heat. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer June 25, […]

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer June 25, […]

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

June 25, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

Though the Illini hadn't recruited Texas very well at all during the Bielema era, new assistants Archie McDaniel and Justin Stepp have made Texas a priority and their hard work has paid off with the highest rated Texas commit thus far, Fort Bend Marshall (Missouri City) safety Isaiah Williams.  Williams is a little small for a safety at a generously listed 6'1"and 190 pounds, but he plays a lot bigger than you'd think and used his surprising strength to make a lot of big plays for a traditional football power in the suburbs of Houston.  Williams had offers from nearly all the blue blood programs in the nation after a fantastic sophomore year for Marshall's excellent 12-2 season.  However, Williams missed three games last year, Marshall's win total dropped by 5, and Williams' statistical output dropped as well with only 56 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 interception and fumble recovery down from 86,7,4 and 1.

What does he bring to the Orange and Blue?

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood and several members of the Illini coaching staff will be in New York City to view two one-year talents get drafted for the first time in program history.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

June 25, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

To suggest tonight is a historic moment for the University of Illinois men’s basketball program is a giant understatement.

Neither Kasparas Jakucionis nor Will Riley were born the last time Illinois had two first round picks in the same draft class. Because there’s been a 20-year gap between when Deron Williams and Luther Head heard their name called in 2005 by then-National Basketball Association commissioner David Stern at Madison Square Garden and tonight’s 2025 draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Illinois head coach Brad Underwood doesn’t know when this kind of moment will happen again.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

June 24, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Matt Stevens/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Just a few short weeks ago, the Guy Memorial Golf Outing, a friendly competition featuring athletes from the University of Iowa and Illinois, looked noticeably different in Southwest Rock Island.

According to host Matt Randazzo, the Iowa side has traditionally dominated the event, but this year, more orange and blue were spotted throughout the course.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

June 24, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – In March 2017, Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman hired Brad Underwood as the 18th head coach in the program’s history. During his introductory press conference, Underwood laid out his vision for the Illini and didn’t hesitate to say, “Illinois is a dream job for me.”

In a conversation at an AAU event, Underwood shared with me a few personal goals he hoped to accomplish during his tenure in Champaign.

4-star prospect Cameron Wagner is still mentally balancing being the No. 1 Illinois offensive lineman in the 2027 class while still maintaining small-town roots and values.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

June 23, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — For the better part of the last 14 months, the process and timeline has been the same.

Cameron Wagner will hear that he’s received a verification on his phone, look at the screen and think he’s been pranked or catfished.

“I still remember there was a time where I’ll be in the house and I’ll yell, ‘Mom, why is the head football coach at Notre Dame following me on Twitter and Instagram?’,” says Wagner, the No. 3-ranked Illinois prospect in the 2027 recruiting class, according to Rivals.com. “I remember coming to her saying ‘Mom, this can’t be [Illinois head coach] Bret Bielema’s actual Twitter account following me, right? That makes no sense why he’d be following me, right?’

Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular June 23, 2025 This […]