No. 4 Forward
- Starter: Ty Rodgers (SR)
In 2025-26, Illinois will have some experience on the roster too. This lineup won’t just be a bunch of freshmen. I have Ty Rodgers being one of the leaders and moving from the current point guard role to more of a wing player for the Illini.
Rodgers is a 6-foot-6 monster who was tasked with bringing the ball up the court this season. While Marcus Domask has taken more of the point guard duties as of late, Rodgers still seems to be coming into his own offensively. I think he starts at the No. 4 spot when he is a senior in 2025-26. He is someone who has great length and is a great defender. Rodgers can also get to the rim and finish well too. This kid is going to be phenomenal in a couple of years.
- Backup: Jason Jakstys (R-FR)
Illinois’ class of 2024 is going to produce a lot of minutes for the program in 2025. I think Jason Jakstys has a role on this team bigger than just someone who plays when the Illini are blowing out other programs. Jakstys has a ton of talent.
Jakstys isn’t getting a ton of love from recruiting sites. He is currently a three-star recruit who is ranked as the No. 185 player in the class of 2024. I think Jakstys is better than this, though. He is someone at 6-foot-10 who can step out and shoot from three-point range. His size also gives him a nice advantage on the glass. I look at Jakstys’ game and it reminds me a lot of Michael Finke. He is a good player who can really help the Illini as a primary backup at the No. 4 spot.