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Projected 2025-26 Illinois basketball lineup without Jeremiah Fears

Illinois basketball lost a four-star point guard on Monday, and this forces the projected Illini lineup for 2025-26 to change

By Rees Woodcock

Mar 23, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood leads a team huddle during the second half against the Duquesne Dukes in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at CHI Health Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood leads a team huddle during the second half against the Duquesne Dukes in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at CHI Health Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports / Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
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It was not a good day for the Illinois basketball program, as we lost our class of 2025 point guard.

Jeremiah Fears had been committed to the Illini since January, but he has now reopened his recruitment and will find a new home.

Losing Fears changes the potential Illinois lineup for the 2025-26 season. With the transfer portal and the NBA Draft, it is tough to predict what that roster will look like, but it will look different without Fears.

In addition to Fears leaving, ESPN released an early 2025 NBA mock draft. This mock draft had Illini freshmen Will Riley and Kasparas Jakucionis both getting selected in the first round. So, I didn’t include those two in the projected lineup.

Here is the projected 2025-26 Illinois basketball lineup without Jeremiah Fears

No. 1 Guard

Starter: Ty Rodgers (SR)

I just don’t see Brad Underwood sending Ty Rodgers to the bench, as he started Rodgers every game last season. I could see Underwood once again starting Rodgers this upcoming season and when the 2025-26 campaign tips off.

Rodgers averaged 6.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game as a sophomore. I think when his senior year comes around, he is going to have even better numbers. I still have Rodgers starting at the No. 1 guard spot. He should be in somewhat of a timeshare with Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, and I could see both Rodgers and Kylan Boswell bringing the ball up the court.

Backup: Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (JR)

As mentioned above, I see Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn playing a big role on the Illinois basketball team this upcoming season and when he is a junior in 2025-26.

This kid had a lot of spunk as a freshman last season. Don’t be distracted by his 2.4 points and 0.9 rebounds per game. Gibbs-Lawhorn has a ton of talent just waiting to break out. Look for him to have a big year this upcoming season and then be a primary backup with 20 or more minutes as a junior in 2025-26.

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