The 2026 NBA Draft has come and gone, and while the biggest drama came with the first two picks, everything unfolded just about the way it was expected. Illinois saw its own Keaton Wagler selected No. 5 overall by the L.A. Clippers, and now eyes turn to the 2026-2027 season for the Illini.
After a trip to the Final Four and falling just nine points short of the National Championship game, head coach Brad Underwood is hoping for a return trip and making it one game further to compete for the title. That would involve a big season from the Illini, which means its best players, practically the entire starting five, will need to step up in every way.
Four of the starting five are expected to head to the NBA Draft after what has been an even more successful season this year. However, it may not be as successful a draft for the Illini as it was this past year. ESPN's way-too-early 2027 mock draft has dropped, and it really showed that four Illinois players have a lot of ground to make up this next season.
Not a single Illinois player was projected to be taken in the first round, a big contract from the 2026 NBA Draft. While having four players show up on the mock draft, their projected spots are less than desirable, and they will need a big season in order to climb up the draft boards.
PG Quentin Coleman: Round 2, Pick 36
Quentin Coleman is the highest Illinois player in this mock draft, and he is the only one who has yet to step foot on the court as a college basketball player. While transfer Stefan Vaaks hasn't played a single minute in an Illinois uniform either, he at least has some time on the court in college.
Coleman is one of the most exciting players for Illinois this season, though, coming in as the likely Wagler replacement. The five-star St. Louis, Missouri, native comes in at the perfect time for Illinois, bringing elite talent at the point position. In high school, Coleman was relied on more as a shooter, but with Illinois, he will be on the ball more, becoming a floor general for the Illini.
Coleman is a part of another elite freshman class and could find his way in the first round like Wagler did this past season if he can become an instant star in Champaign. If not, it may not be in his best interest to leave Champaign for the league.
SG/PG Stefan Vaaks: Round 2, Pick 38
Stefan Vaaks is another newcomer for Illinois this season, and after a stellar freshman season with Providence, he chose to hit the Transfer Portal, landing with Illinois. Vaaks was the only player out of the transfer portal that Illinois brought in, and he will contribute right away.
The draft position from Vaaks isn't surprising, especially after averaging 15.8 points per game last year along with 3.2 assists. Now with a bigger program like Illinois, Vaaks will have an even bigger role with the absence of Wagler and Kylan Boswell, most likely helping his draft stock as well.
SF/PF David Mirkovic: Round 2, Pick 44
David Mikovic is one that the NBA scouts are going to want to keep an eye on at Illinois this next season. Poised as a breakout star for the Illini this season, Mirkovic is doing everything in his power to build on what was already a solid freshman season in Champaign.
Mirkovic even chose to stay in the States this summer instead of going and playing for his National Team in Montenegro, opting to get more work with the coaching staff at Illinois. Mirkovic could be a dark horse in the 2027 draft, especially with an expected breakout year in Champaign this season.
SG Andrej Stojakovic: Round 2, Pick 57
Andrej Stojakovic already tested the NBA Draft waters this past offseason, opting to withdraw before the deadline. Stojakovic wasn't getting the news from NBA teams that he was hoping for during the draft process, thus returning to Illinois for another season, something fans were clamoring for.
It comes as a bit of a surprise that Stojakovic is so low in this early mock draft, but his age could be working against him in this case. So many younger freshmen are taking over the top of the draft boards, but without Wagler, Stojakovic is also poised for a breakout year, meaning his stock could easily rise, especially if Illinois can bring home a Big Ten Championship and potentially a National Championship.
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