Skip to main content
Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois basketball transfer portal target could be solution to depleted backcourt

Brad Underwood will be big game hunting this offseason, and this dynamic guard could be a great fit in the Illinois basketball backcourt.
ByKellen Sherman|
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on Reddit
Google Discover
Dec 2, 2025; Waco, Texas, USA; Sacramento State Hornets guard Prophet Johnson (16) drives to the basket against Baylor Bears guard Cameron Carr (43) during the first half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
Dec 2, 2025; Waco, Texas, USA; Sacramento State Hornets guard Prophet Johnson (16) drives to the basket against Baylor Bears guard Cameron Carr (43) during the first half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images | Chris Jones-Imagn Images

The Illinois basketball team has become a potentially popular destination for transfer portal players this offseason, following its first Final Four appearance in 21 years.

The Illini have their sights set on continuing their success with a majority of their roster still intact. They will be poised to make another deep run in the NCAA tournament, and they will be looking to go big-game hunting in the transfer portal to do so.

It doesn't matter if it's Wisconsin's John Blackwell or any of the other big names on the market; Illinois is poised to nab someone. One name that should be on the program's radar is the dynamic combo-guard Prophet Johnson, who announced his entry into the transfer portal on April 7.

Johnson, a 6-foot-3 product from Dayton, Ohio, is a former JUCO player who will be looking for his fourth program in the last four years. He was easily the top player for the Sacramento State Hornets during the 2025-26 season, ranking No. 1 on the team in points (18.2) and No. 2 in rebounds (7.4) per game.

The best part about Johnson is that he is not only a top-notch scorer, but he is also known to be a bit handsy on the defensive end of the court. He has proven to be a handful on the perimeter, recording a Big Sky-leading 2.6 steals per game last season.

Prophet Johnson could be a sneaky-good transfer portal addition for Illinois basketball

Without a doubt, Blackwell is the top prize in this year's transfer portal cycle. The 2025-26 All-Big Ten third team member has been drawing plenty of interest throughout the country, but has reportedly narrowed his selections down to either Illinois or the Duke Blue Devils.

With freshman guard Mihailo Petrovic reportedly entering the transfer portal, the Illini are going to need more than just Blackwell to fill out the rest of their backcourt. They will need another guard to work into a rotation that already involves highly-touted recruit, Quentin Coleman.

Johnson can be that guard, especially after showing his nose for the ball and his ability to make an impact in multiple facets of the game. He is a proven shot-creator who can score at all three levels of the floor, and someone who can create turnovers at the drop of a hat.

Granted, Johnson doesn't have much experience against power-four schools, so that may play a factor in his recruiting. But if Underwood can't land Blackwell, this young man could become a very cheap option for Illinois with tons of upside to replace Petrovic.

Home/Illinois Basketball