Illinois Reloaded: Who's Next From the Illini for the 2027 NBA Draft?

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 . . .

 

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