The Illinois Fighting Illini are gearing up for the 2026 basketball season after a breakthrough run that saw them capture a Final Four berth and finish third in the Big Ten with a 28‑9 record. Head coach Brad Underwood says the momentum from last year provides a solid foundation, but the roster will look different as key contributors depart.
Point guard Keaton Wagler, a projected mid‑late lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and guard Kylan Boswell, who is graduating, will not return, leaving sizable shoes to fill.
Nevertheless, the team retains forward Andrej Stojakovic and big man David Mirkovic, both choosing to stay despite the trend of players leaving college early, giving the program continuity in the frontcourt.
A Fresh Look for the Frontcourt
Adding to the mix, Stefan Vaaks, a 6‑7 shooting guard transferred from Providence, arrives with a 15.8‑point average and a three‑point shooting percentage near 35 percent, a style he models after Luka Dončić.
The Illini’s recruiting class, ranked twentieth nationally, features five‑star guard Quentin Coleman, a 6‑4 playmaker from St. Louis noted for quickness and rebounding.
The schedule will take the team to Eugene, Oregon, for a neutral‑site matchup, though the exact date remains undetermined.
Vaaks’s arrival signals a shift toward a more perimeter‑oriented attack, as his shooting instincts and ability to create off the dribble echo the versatile game of the NBA star.
Coach Underwood believes the blend of returning veterans and fresh talent positions the Illini to remain competitive in the Big Ten and beyond.