Writing Illini
Fansided

5-star point guard talks Illinois basketball

Illinois basketball needs talent for 2026, and this kid would be a massive get for the program.
ByRees Woodcock|
Mar 23, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the first half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against the Kentucky Wildcats at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Mar 23, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the first half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against the Kentucky Wildcats at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

As the Illinois basketball team heads into the summer, the coaching staff is starting to really gear up to build the class of 2026.

Brad Underwood did a good job getting a nice blend for the 2025 class. We have a little transfer portal flavor, some incoming freshmen, and a couple of overseas athletes to give us a shot in the arm. But, as of right now, the Illini don’t have anyone committed for 2026.

It is still very early in the game for the class of 2026, so there is no reason to worry. One name to definitely keep an eye on is Dylan Mingo.

On Thursday, Jamie Shaw of On3.com posted an article and then posted on his social media that Mingo talked about his recruitment. You have to have a subscription to On3.com to read the article, so I can’t give out any information, but the solid media post reads, “Updates where things stand with Alabama, Illinois, Missouri, Louisville, and UNC.”

Mingo would be a massive get for any of the programs listed. He is a 6-foot-5, 180-pound point guard from Long Island Lutheran High School in New York. He is rated as a five-star recruit and ranked as the No. 9 player in the class of 2026. Mingo is also the No. 3 point guard in the country and the top player in the state of New York.

Illinois basketball has had recruiting success on the East Coast in recent years

Unlike with the football program, I feel like the Illinois basketball team can consistently compete with the big boys. Football is doing its best, but I would imagine the basketball team has more of the blank check mentality.

I have hope that Illinois can pull in Mingo. We have had success on the East Coast, and I believe that has a lot to do with Orlando Antigua being on the coaching staff.

With Antigua in tow, Illinois secured the commitment of four-star guard Brandon Lee from New Jersey in 2025. Will Riley attended high school in Malvern, Pennsylvania, which is right outside Philadelphia. Andre Curbelo was a four-star player who was also out of Long Island Lutheran. Kofi Cockburn played for multiple high schools on the East Coast, too.

Mingo is an elite player who would start from day one at Illinois. This kid is a one-and-done, and Underwood has shown this past season that you can come to Champaign and then head to the NBA after one season. I think Mingo would be a perfect addition to the roster.

Home/Illinois Basketball Recruiting