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Illinois basketball defies transfer portal trend to keep massive piece for 2026-27

The Illinois basketball team is doing something other programs are having a hard time doing, keeping our own talent.
ByRees Woodcock|
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Mar 26, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) reacts against the Houston Cougars in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Mar 26, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) reacts against the Houston Cougars in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

The transfer portal is always a hot topic this time of year, and the Illinois basketball team is always in the conversation.

The Illini have made the Elite Eight in two out of the last three seasons, and those teams were elevated by the transfer portal. A trend that Brad Underwood is starting is retaining players already on the team and defying the transfer portal ways.

On Wednesday afternoon, Illinois basketball was able to retain one of the biggest pieces in recent memory. David Mirkovic decided to come back to Champaign for one more season.

Mirkovic was sensational for Illinois as a freshman. He averaged 13.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, all of which were top three on the Illinois roster.

Entering next season, Mirkovic is going to be the centerpiece for anything the Illini do on the court. He is someone who isn’t just a good player coming back, but I believe he will be one of the favorites to win the John R. Wooden Award.

Illinois basketball had a Final Four run that was aided by some huge returning players

Mirkovic is one of the biggest returning players to the Illinois roster in recent memory. He isn’t the first player to come back in the Underwood era, though.

It has been impressive what Underwood and the Illinois coaching staff have done with player retention over the last few seasons. The Elite Eight run a few years ago was led by Terrence Shannon Jr., who transferred into the program and was in his second year because Illinois was able to retain him.

This season is another great example. Illinois has two great freshmen leading the way, but we couldn’t get to the Final Four without the likes of Kylan Boswell, Tomislav Ivisic, Ben Humrichous, and Jake Davis, all of whom were returning players from the year prior.

Illinois is winning a lot of the court. We are recruiting well. The transfer portal is being mastered. And now we are retaining key pieces. Underwood has this program humming right now, and there is no slowing down anytime soon.

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