After falling short in the Final Four this past season, head coach Brad Underwood has done the offseason work to try and get the Illini back there again next season, but make it one step further to the National Championship.
While Illinois lost leading scorer Keaton Wagler to the NBA, Underwood did a fantastic job with the retention of the rest of the roster and filling gaps with the transfer portal. One of the biggest retentions for Underwood was freshman forward David Mirković. While Mirković could have bolted for the NBA Draft or even the transfer portal, he chose to stay in Champaign, and now he could be Illinois' top player next season.
A recent post from the Illinois basketball social media team has some fans going crazy over Mirković's new physique. The photo is of the Illinois sophomore working out in the weight room, and he has very clearly bulked up since the season ended.
Mirk has been in the weight room pic.twitter.com/5lrfJbPHud
— Glenn Kinley (@glenn_kinley) July 1, 2026
The 6-foot-9 Montebegro native was great for Illinois in his freshman season, averaging 13.3 points per game, leading the team with 8.0 rebounds per game, and shot 48.4% from the floor. Now with leading scorer Wagler in L.A. with the Clippers, it opens the door for Mirković to break out.
David Mirković opts out of playing for National Team to stay in Illinois this offseason
With summer workouts in full swing, Underwood spoke with the media for some time this week, filling everyone in on what's been going down so far this summer. One big piece of information is that Andrej Stojaković has yet to return to the court as he has his knee scoped and is still recovering. That shouldn't have fans worrying, though, as it seemed Underwood isn't hitting the panic button.
The other good piece of information Underwood shared was that Mirković is around the gym all summer, as seen in the workout photo above. The Montenegro native decided not to go home and play for his national team this summer, but stick around Champaign and get some good work in with assistant coach Adam Fletcher.
"I think he truly understands the benefits of Adam Fletcher and getting his body right, being in the best shape that he can be," Underwood told the media.
Mirković can break out in his sophomore season, and spending the time in Illinois this summer with the coaching staff and his teammates could be the difference in being one of the top players in the game and not. While Stojaković has real talent with this Illinois team, Mirković is projected to be one of the best, if not the best player for the Illini next season.
Underwood believes it, and Mirković does too, which is evident with the work he is putting in right now in the offseason.
"I think he understands he's one of the best players in college basketball, he wants to capitalize on making the most of that opportunity," Underwood said.
Illinois is primed for another big season with Underwood leading the way and a solid roster returning. Now, it is simply time to sit back and wait for the season to start.
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