Illinois fans were dealt shocking news in the middle of their Tuesday workday. The Illinois basketball social media page posted a photo stating that sophomore forward David Mirkovic underwent foot surgery on July 31 and is expected to make a full recovery.
This comes as a shocking update, especially after hearing about all the progress he made this summer after making the decision to stay in Champaign and participate in summer workouts. The post didn't give much information other than that Mirkovic had surgery in Indianapolis after suffering a foot injury during team workouts.
The news that he will make a full recovery is a good sign, but this is not something Illinois fans will want to hear.
Wishing David a healthy recovery 🧡 pic.twitter.com/rKAVW1lm5H
— Illinois Men's Basketball (@IlliniMBB) August 4, 2026
No timeline is set for David Mirkovic's return, but a full recovery is a good first step
The news of David Mirkovic is a shock to the system when it comes to Illinois basketball, as he was one of the key returning pieces for Brad Underwood's squad. At this point, basketball feels like the furthest thing that matters, and we are just happy that Mirkovic is expected to make a full recovery.
When thinking about basketball, though, there is a silver lining to this news. Even though there is no timeline given for when Mirkovic will be able to be back on the court, an expected full recovery has to mean that he won't be out for the season.
At best, Mirkovic's availability for the start of the season is questionable. If the 6-foot-9, 255-pound forward isn't ready to go by the start of the season, it isn't the end of the world. Right now, Illinois has most of its non-conference games secured, and to start the season, they won't be facing their toughest opponents like UConn, Missouri, or Duke till a later in non-conference play.
So, if Mirkovic needs some time to really get back to 100%, he can take those few extra games to get there. It will be tough to start the season coming off an injury, especially an injury that required surgery. While Illinois would rather have Mirkovic on the court, Underwood has a solid squad with depth, and players like Tomislav Ivisic and his brother Zvonimir Ivisic will be able to hold things down in the paint.
Check back for any updates given on the nature of Mirkovic's injury or the timeline of his recovery, and hope that he can make a quick recovery and get back on the court for the Illini.
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