How Illinois is already building its 2026-27 roster

MILWAUKEE, WI - JANUARY 19: Providence Friars guard Stefan Vaaks (7) reacts to a missed shot during a game between the Marquette Golden Eagles and the Providence Friars on January 19, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

This was one of the most memorable Illinois seasons in recent memory. But with the offseason already in full swing, what’s next?

Scholarship-wise, each team is allowed up to 15 scholarships. Three scholarships will become available following the departure of graduating seniors Kylan Boswell, Ben Humrichous, and AJ Redd.

Keaton Wagler’s exit to the NBA adds another. Wagler, after a slow start, became a key part of Illinois’ success. He led the Illini in scoring with 17.9 points per game and 4.2 assists. Those numbers will be hard to replace. And when you add Kylan and Ben’s numbers, you get 36.0 PPG (44%) and 8 APG (57%). That is a lot of stats to replace offensively and defensively. Kylan was a shutdown defender, and Ben was much improved over last season. Wagler was improving defensively every game.

With Mihailo Petrovic and midseason signee Toni Bilic entering the transfer portal, it’s pretty clear where Brad Underwood & Co. need to build.

So what is left?

From the starters, Jake Davis, Tomislav Ivišić, and David Mirković are expected back. Off the bench, Zvonimir Ivišić, Andrej Stojaković, Brandon Lee, and Blake Fagbemi return, with Ty Rodgers and Jason Jakstys coming off injury-plagued seasons. That’s a solid core—assuming all remain in Champaign.

One intriguing possibility is Naz Rankin, the 5-foot-10, 161‑pound Morgan Park standout who averaged 23.2 points, 3.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.6 steals. Rankin signed with Illinois football as a wide receiver but has expressed interest in playing basketball as well.

Incoming help

Recruits

The Illini have four high school signees for the 2026-27 season. Let’s start with a pair of 4-star prospects.

Quintin Coleman, 4-star, 6-foot-4, 180 pounds, from the Principle High School in St. Louis. He is ranked between 34th and 38th nationally. The Illini recruited Coleman earlier, but he committed to Wake Forest. He recently de-committed from the Demon Deacons and signed with Illinois. Coleman possesses a very smooth, effortless jumper from any range (shooting 39% in his EYBL league). He also has good ball skills and is a strong perimeter rebounder.

Lucas Morillo, 4-star, 6-foot-7, 180 pounds, Shooting Guard from the Newman School, Boston. Ranked 59th nationally and No. 2 in the state of Massachusetts. 15.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists as a junior last season (2024-25). He is more of a scoring guard than a shooting guard. Like our current backcourt group, Morillo can drive and slash with the best of them. But his jump shot is suspect and needs improvement in range. He is an excellent defender and perimeter rebounder.

3-Star Recruits

Eathan Brown 3-star 6-foot-4 185 pounds, Combo Guard from Rolla Sr. High School, Rolla, MO. Ranked as 117th nationally and 8th in the state of Missouri, a two-time all-state selection. As a junior, he became the all-time leading scorer in Rolla Sr. High history. He averaged 22.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 3.8 steals last season. He played for the Gateway Knights in the New Balance P32 League. He averaged 17 points, 4.7 rebounds, three assists, and 2.2 steals. For that effort, he earned the 17U MVP. Like Keaton Wagler, some say he could be underrated. He has, as Underwood likes to say, great positional size and could see rotation at the guard spot.

Landon Davis 2-star 6-foot-8, 210 pounds, Power Forward from Waukee Northwest, Waukee, IA. Ranked 227 nationally, 247 Sports has him as the 38th-best power forward in the country. He averaged 10.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 blocks, and 2.9 assists. He could use a little time with “Body by Fletch,” but he has the skills and basketball IQ to excel at the next level.

And they may not be done.

The Illini is said to still be pursuing Zavier Zens, a 6-foot-7, 210-pound power forward from Wisconsin Lutheran in Milwaukee. He was named 2026 Mr. Basketball in Wisconsin. Zens has offers from Wisconsin and Utah State. Zen averaged 23.6 PPG and 5.4 RPG and recently de-committed from Northern Iowa.

So that still leaves 4 open scholarships (for now).

Transfers

Underwood has secured one transfer so far: Stefan Vaaks from Providence. He is a 6-foo-7, 200-pound shooting guard. Vaaks averaged 15.8 PPG, shooting 40.3% from the floor and 35% from 3-point range, 3.2 APG, and 2.5 RPG. Vaaks is from Tabasalu, Estonia, and played in the Latvia-Estonia pro league before going to Providence.

Other targets of interest are:

John Blackwell from Wisconsin. Blackwell is the son of former Illini Glynn Blackwell. Blackwell averaged 19.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 2.3 APG, and earned All-Big Ten honors.

Another option could be Kylan Boswell’s former Arizona teammate, KJ Lewis. Offense isn’t the draw here; although his offensive numbers are not bad, 14.9 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 2.3 APG. It is his defense, averaging 2.1 steals per game and 3.5 defensive box score, playing for Georgetown this past season. Boswell’s defensive numbers are 0.7 seals and a 3.1 defensive box score.

As for any further defections, if the Illini land another point guard, I think very real possibility that Brandon Lee could look for another team. Right now, the Illini still have room to add, so anything can happen.