Projected 2025-26 Illinois basketball lineup without Jeremiah Fears

No. 5 Center

Starter: Morez Johnson Jr. (SO)

I think there is a chance that Morez Johnson Jr. gets some NBA looks after his freshman season, but he might be a two or three-year player for the Illini. Johnson should be starting at the No. 5 spot as a freshman, and that is where I see him as a sophomore in 2025-26.

Johnson continues to prove that he is one of the best players in the class of 2024. He averaged 17.2 points, 14.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.4 blocks, and 2.5 steals per game as a senior at Thornton Township High School in Illinois. I think Johnson has a chance to blossom on the court for the Illini. His offensive game will have a chance to shine, and that would help elevate his draft stock. The future is so bright for the Illinois basketball program with Johnson in the middle of the paint.

Backup: Tomislav Ivisic (SO)

Illinois did some great work recruiting overseas this offseason. We have landed talented players like Kasparas Jakucionis and Tomislav Ivisic. While Jakucionis is projected to be selected in the 2025 NBA Draft, I think Ivisic has a chance to make a big impact on the Illinois basketball team as a primary backup at the No. 5 spot.

Ivisic should come in this season and give Illinois some quality minutes. By his sophomore year in 2025-26, I think Ivisic could get 15-20 minutes per game as a backup. It wouldn’t shock me to see him play the No. 4 or No. 5 spots on the court. Having two monsters in the paint at the same time, like Johnson and Ivisic, would be fun to watch. I think Illinois could have a great frontcourt for the next couple of years.