Brad Underwood looking to make huge splash for Illinois basketball in 2027

The Illinois basketball team is in the middle of what could be a special run in the postseason.

It was an up and down 2024-25 campaign for the Illini. We have seen high highs and low lows, but while we all wait to see the result of the grueling campaign, Brad Underwood is working to build for the future.

This past Saturday, Underwood hit the road and ended up in Evansville, Indiana. He was there to check out talented forward Jaylan Mitchell.

According to multiple social media users, Underwood was there watching Mitchell and his Evansville Reitz basketball team. Reitz, 16-6 overall this season, is led by Mitchell, who is averaging 16.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game.

Beyond his great stats, there is a reason Underwood is targeting Mitchell. He is a 6-foot-7, 220-pound power forward from Evansville Reitz High School in Indiana. Mitchell is rated as a five-star recruit and is ranked as the No. 4 player in the class of 2027. He is also the No. 2 power forward in the country and the best player in Indiana.

Who knows what Illinois basketball will look like come 2027-28

It is exciting having Underwood watching one of the best players in the class of 2027. In college basketball today, it is going to take more than a great relationship to land a recruit, though.

Illinois seems to have a nice war chest to land these big-time recruits at least. We saw it this past offseason when Underwood pulled in five-star Will Riley. We also landed in-state star, Morez Johnson Jr.

While these two are freshmen, they likely won’t be on the team in a few years. It is really a toss-up on what the Illini will look like when Mitchell is a freshman. Honestly, I am not sure who will even be on the team next season.

Hopefully, Underwood can continue building the relationship and develop the funds to land more five-star recruits. Mitchell is someone who could take Illinois to the promised land if he gives us a chance.