Illinois basketball was dealt a big blow earlier in the week when the news dropped that David Mirkovic suffered a foot injury that ultimately needed surgery. It was announced on the Illinois basketball social media page that Mirkovic is expected to make a full recovery, and rumors have been circulating that he could only be out six to eight weeks.
With that being said, the Illinois basketball social media page is back at it again, this time showing off the work that strength and conditioning coach Adam Fletcher has done with his guys this summer. Now, if you are like me, you probably got distracted by the number of abs displayed in the photo, and if you did, don't feel bad.
There is more to this photo than the abs and muscles on display, though, and that is David Mirkovic. While the rest of his team is showing off the work they have put in in the weight room this summer, Mirkovic, who also put in a lot of work this summer, is sitting on his scooter with a boot on his foot.
Body by Fletch pic.twitter.com/J8VImRTVYh
— Illinois Men's Basketball (@IlliniMBB) August 6, 2026
It is a good sign to see that Mirkovic is already back with the team in Champaign after his surgery on July 31 in Indianapolis. Even though he has a scooter, seeing that Mirkovic is also only in a walking boot feels like good news as well, given that maybe he is already starting to put some weight on his foot too. Either way, being back with his team will at the very least help with his spirits.
David Mirkovic's work this summer could help speed up his recovery
It's clear that Fletcher is very good at what he does for this team, and Mirkovic made a point to stay with Illinois this season to work out and get stronger with him. Mirkovic is going to be counted on a lot more this next season, and while the injury comes at an unfortunate time, a return is inevitable.
With the work that Mirkovic put in this summer, getting stronger in the gym and working on his craft, it could end up benefiting him in his recovery process. Jeff Goodman with "The Field of 68" said that he heard from his sources that the timeline for a return is six to eight weeks, which would give him about a month to get ready for the season, but players come back from injury early all the time.
Look at Patrick Mahomes with the Kansas City Chiefs; he tore his ACL in December of last year and is projected to start Week 1 of the NFL season. Kobe Bryant once tore his Achilles tendon, which typically takes a year to recover from, but pushed his recovery to return in just eight months for the Lakers.
So, Mirkovic, if he works hard, could push his recovery and return sooner rather than later, and Fletcher could be a key part of that. Either way, it is great to see Mirkovic back in the building with the Illini.
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