The Illinois Fighting Illini are gearing up for a significant transition as seniors Tomislav Ivisic and Zvonimir Ivisic prepare to leave the program, removing a rare combination of height and experience from the roster. Coach Brad Underwood, who has long emphasized perimeter versatility, is already scanning the next recruiting cycle for a replacement that can anchor the paint.
A New Era on the Horizon
Among the prospects, Dylan Betts stands out as a 7‑foot‑3, 230‑pound center emerging from IMG Academy in Florida. Rated as a five‑star recruit, he is positioned No. 11 overall in the class of 2028 and holds the fifth spot among centers nationwide, while also ranking third among Florida prospects.
Betts brings a polished skill set to the interior, showcasing a soft touch in the paint and a developing perimeter shot that could expand his offensive repertoire. Observers have noted similarities to Brook Lopez and Robin Lopez during their Stanford years, suggesting a comparable blend of size and finesse.
The potential addition of Betts would mark a return to a traditional back‑to‑the‑basket center for Illinois, a role last embodied by Kofi Cockburn. Underwood, who has historically avoided conventional big men, may find in Betts the prototype he once dismissed, reshaping the team’s tactical identity.
Beyond individual impact, Betts could mesh productively with fellow five‑star recruit Brady Pettigrew, a guard whose playmaking and shooting could complement the new center. Together, they represent a promising core that might restore Illinois to the upper echelon of collegiate basketball.