Are you worried about what is next for the Illinois basketball center position once the 2024-25 campaign is completed?
Well, while Brad Underwood and the Illini coaching staff have some issues that need to be corrected, one of the surest things in the world is that they will drum up another big man who can dominate the paint.
Starting with Kofi Cockburn, Underwood’s era at Illinois has produced some talented big men. Following Kofi, Illinois had Coleman Hawkins and his ability to stretch the floor.
The latest rendition of the Illinois center position comes in two forms. Morez Johnson Jr. is the more physical and traditional big man for the Illini. He is also one of the best rebounders we have seen in a long time. The other big man is Tomislav Ivisic. He can step out and shoot from the perimeter, but his touch around the hoop is also phenomenal.
In today’s college basketball world, who knows what will happen after the season? A player can hit the transfer portal and fetch massive dollars, or they can declare for the NBA Draft and roll the dice on their future. That is why the Illini need to be ready for the future, and adding a big man like Aleksa Dimitrijevic would stabilize the position for at least the 2025-26 campaign if things go haywire.
Dimitrijevic is a 7-foot-1, 215-pound center from Serbia. He isn’t rated or ranked by recruiting sites just yet, but he is garnering some big-time recruiting attention.
Right now, Dimitrijevic has a handful of scholarship offers and is already starting to take official visits. His NIL agency, Agency 55, announced on social media that Dimitrijevic has set an official visit to Michigan, Creighton, and Illinois. He will be in Ann Arbor on February 21, Creighton on February 23, and Illinois on February 25.
Our player, Aleksa Dimitrijevic—the top international big man in the class of 2025—will be visiting Michigan, Creighton, and Illinois starting on February 19. Aleksa showcased his dominance at FIBA U18 last summer, averaging 10.4 PPG (61% FG for 2), 7.1 RPG, 2.7 BPG, and 2.1 APG.… pic.twitter.com/ja8WhrYMDI
— Agency55 (@Agency55NIL) February 17, 2025
There are multiple scenarios for the Illinois basketball team in 2025-26
Going after and being in the mix for Dimitrijevic is exciting. He is a player who could be a defensive stopper for the Illini. Through 14 games this season for Metalac VL in the Serbia-KLS, Dimitrijevic is averaging 3.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game.
Landing Dimitrijevic is no guarantee, though. Illinois is going to have to fend off both Creighton and Michigan and any other team that decides to enter the fray. There are a couple of scenarios that come to mind with the possibility of adding another big man.
The main possibility that enters my mind is that Ivisic is done after this season. I think there is a chance he will declare for the NBA Draft and stay in the mix. His three-point shooting is intriguing, and I think he could excite NBA scouts.
I see Johnson staying around for at least one more season, though. He would be the starter for the Orange and Blue entering the 2025-26 season. Dimitrijevic would then be the primary backup to Johnson.
To me, that is the most likely scenario. I could also see Johnson and Ivisic staying and having Dimitrijevic as a third big-man option. He would get 10-15 minutes per game, and his development would be for his sophomore season.
No matter what, Illinois is in the mix for another big man. Underwood does a great job landing size for the paint, and Dimitrijevic could be next in line.
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