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Future Illinois basketball star earns high praise at the top of the sport

Illinois basketball found a star in class of 2026 guard Quentin Coleman, and he proved just that during this year's U18 AmeriCup.
ByKellen Sherman|
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July 19, 2025; North Augusta, South Carolina, USA; Brad Beal Elite Quentin Coleman (1) gestures to a teammate as Team Durant Evans Barning Jr. (7) defends during the Brad Beal Elite and Team Durant game at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam at Riverview Park Activity Center. Brad Beal Elite won 91-59. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale - Augusta Chronicle/USA TODAY NETWORK
July 19, 2025; North Augusta, South Carolina, USA; Brad Beal Elite Quentin Coleman (1) gestures to a teammate as Team Durant Evans Barning Jr. (7) defends during the Brad Beal Elite and Team Durant game at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam at Riverview Park Activity Center. Brad Beal Elite won 91-59. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale - Augusta Chronicle/USA TODAY NETWORK | Katie Goodale / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Illinois basketball program has had an offseason for the ages with their massive retention numbers and the commitment of five-star guard Quentin Coleman.

Coleman, a St. Louis, Missouri, product, is the top recruit in the Illini class of 2026. He has been a highly-touted player for some time now, ranking No. 13 overall in the country and No. 3 at his position.

The Principia School superstar is poised to be a major part of Brad Underwood's system this upcoming season, but before he dons the Orange and Blue, he dominated in the Red, White, and Blue for Team USA. On Monday, Coleman was named a member of the U18 AmeriCup All-Star 5.

Prior to the U18 AmeriCup tournament, Illinois fans were well aware of the immense talent that Coleman possessed. He was an elite high school presence during the 2025-26 season, averaging 23.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.7 steals per game on 64.9 percent shooting.

Coleman was named to the 2026 USA men's national team on May 27, 2026, where he averaged an astounding 11.2 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. The future Illini's excellence helped lead Team USA to the championship game, where they would eventually lose to Team Canada 67-65.

Illinois basketball hit big with a commitment from Quentin Coleman, especially with the versatility that he brings to the team

It is safe to say that Coleman is a dynamic scorer on and off the ball, with a smooth stroke and a pure release that puts him leaps and bounds above other recruits. But it is his willingness to be aggressive on the boards for Team USA that really impressed fans across the country.

Coleman gave us a special performance this past week, as he led the entire tournament in rebounds as a guard by almost two boards per game. This is a great sight to see as we make our way closer to tipoff for the Illini, especially with the fact that Coleman will be on the shorter side in Illinois' system.

If Coleman can continue this stellar play in Champaign this winter, he will have a chance to be the next great guard in the Underwood era. He is elite in multiple facets of the game, and once he gets a steady stream of minutes under his belt, we should expect nothing but greatness from the young man.

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