It was a tough way to end the 2024-25 season, but with the conclusion of the current campaign, it is time to look at what lies ahead for the Illinois basketball team.
There are a couple of Illini players we all expect to be gone. Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley are both projected first-round draft picks in the NBA. I assume they are both going to depart.
Illinois has two players coming into the program to help replace those two departing players as well. If everyone else returns, the roster will be pretty full.
Here is the early projected Illinois basketball starting lineup for the 2025-26 season
No. 1 Guard
- Starter: Kylan Boswell
Heading into the 2025-26 season, I think Illinois is in pretty good shape when it comes to the point guard position. Having someone like Kylan Boswell coming back would be huge.
Boswell was up and down this season, but he looked good in the NCAA tournament. I would argue he was one of the few Illini players who had a good game against Kentucky. If Boswell does return, he would be bringing back his 12.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, which would be huge.
- Addition (Quality backup): Transfer Portal #1
Since the transfer portal became a thing, Brad Underwood has done a good job adjusting. I have confidence he will continue to pluck talented players from the transfer portal.
Illinois needs a backup point guard for next season. We are going to lose Kasparas Jakucionis without a doubt, so the Illini need to scoop up someone who can spell Boswell. I want a good quality point guard who can give Illinois 12-17 minutes per game.
No. 2 Guard
- Starter: Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn
No one knows who will be back with Illinois next season, but if we ride into next season with just the players we have on the roster right now, Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn would be our starting shooting guard.
Gibbs-Lawhorn had an okay second season in Champaign. He averaged 5.9 points and 1.6 rebounds per game while shooting 25.5% from three-point range. I would be shocked if he was our starting shooting guard, but as of right now, that is the way the chips would fall.
- Backup: Brandon Lee
The Illinois class of 2025 isn’t talked about very much. Brandon Lee is a good commit who could come into the program and give Underwood minutes.
Lee is a four-star recruit who is the No. 94 player in the class of 2025. He is also the No. 16 shooting guard in the country and the best player coming out of New Jersey. This past season, he averaged 22.0 points per game with The Patrick School.
No. 3 Wing
- Starter: Tre White
There are a few Illinois players who are likely to return for next season. Tre White is one of those players. He just spent his third season with his third school, and I think he will be here for the finale next season.
I liked White at times. When he got hot, he could really put up incredible numbers. White was inconsistent, though. He didn’t give Illinois enough of a scoring threat either. He averaged 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 32.9% from three-point range. If he stays at Illinois, White is locked in as the starter at the No. 3 spot.
- Backup: Ben Humrichous
It is shocking to see Ben Humrichous’ name on this lineup, as he would be entering his sixth season in college. But the courts ruled that former JUCO and NAIA players have another year of eligibility, so he could come back next season.
If that is the case, I have Humrichous slotted in as the backup at the No. 3 spot. This kid struggled defensively, and he wasn’t as advertised on the offensive end of the court. I don’t think Illinois can rely on him for good production and still expect to go deep in the NCAA tournament.
- Backup: Jake Davis
Jake Davis was hit-and-miss in his first season at Illinois. He averaged 3.0 points and 1.4 rebounds per game. His 34.4% from three-point range was second on the team as well.
The biggest issue with Davis is that he was horrible defensively. Illinois struggled with defense, especially toward the end of the season, and that is why you didn’t seem much of Davis. I think he enters next season as a third backup at the No. 3 spot.
- Backup: Keaton Wagler
Illinois has a wildcard in Keaton Wagler coming into the program. He is a four-star recruit who was the No. 145 player in the class of 2025. He was also the No. 25 shooting guard in the country and the best player coming out of Kansas.
With his 6-foot-6 size, Wagler could play either the No. 2 or No. 3 spot. I think he has a legitimate chance to push Davis for minutes in 2025-26. Wagler is someone who could really impress.
No. 4 Forward
- Starter: Morez Johnson Jr.
The Illinois fanbase grew to love Morez Johnson Jr. throughout the season. He was my favorite player because this kid was hustling all over the floor and doing whatever it took to keep the Illini in the game.
Johnson finished his freshman season averaging 7.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. He only averaged 17.7 minutes of action too. I think he is going to be starting for Illinois as long as he is on the team. Johnson is a special talent we need to hold on to.
- Backup: Ty Rodgers
It would be such an entertaining frontcourt if Ty Rodgers decides to return next season. He took a redshirt in 2024-25 due to talent on the roster, but we actually needed him greatly throughout the campaign.
Rodgers didn’t play a single second this past season. I think he would come in and give Illinois great minutes, probably 18-24 minutes per game, at the No. 3 or No. 4 spot for the program. He is a versatile player who can rebound well. For now, I have him as the primary backup to Johnson.
- Backup: Carey Booth
There wasn’t much Carey Booth on the floor for Illinois in the last couple of months of the season. I thought he was going to make a bigger impact for the Illini this season, but he didn’t really do much.
As of right now, Booth would enter next season as a second backup at the No. 4 spot. He only averaged 1.2 points and 1.0 rebounds per game in 21 contests this past season.
No. 5 Center
- Starter: Tomislav Ivisic
I pray to the basketball Gods that Tomislav Ivisic is back with the Illini next season. He is such a talented big man who can do so much for the Orange and Blue.
Ivisic finished his first season in Champaign averaging 13.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game. He also shot a team-high 35.7% from three-point range. Ivisic is the best big man I have ever seen at Illinois. He would easily start at the No. 5 spot next season if he returns.
- Backup: Jason Jakstys
I will be curious to see what Jason Jakstys does this offseason. He came into the program last season and took a redshirt. I don’t know what he is going to do next.
If he does stay in Champaign, I would slot Jakstys in as the primary backup at the No. 5 spot right now. That is surely to change, but who knows what he could turn into with a solid offseason.