A few days ago, Illinois basketball started to make transfer portal moves that will help the team get back to glory in 2026-27.
The offseason has started for the Illini, and it was a bit jarring seeing multiple players hit the transfer portal over the weekend. This is all part of the process, though.
Thankfully, those transfer portal departures weren’t big. Illinois still needs to fill holes left by the graduation and NBA departures. We did a great job of that with the addition of Stefan Vaaks.
Vaaks is going to be a big piece to the puzzle, and with his commitment from the transfer portal, Illinois’ projected lineup will change drastically.
Here is the projected Illinois basketball lineup with the Stefan Vaaks transfer portal addition
No. 1 Guard
Starter: Stefan Vaaks (SO)
Illinois is missing a massive All-American piece heading into next season. Thankfully, we were able to land Stefan Vaaks from the transfer portal. I think Vaaks comes into the program and starts at the No. 1 guard spot.
My guess is that Underwood is going to try to form Vaaks into what Keaton Wagler was in year one. He has all of the makings of that type of player. Vaaks is 6-foot-7, so around Wagler's height. He averaged 15.8 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game while shooting 8.4 three-pointers at a clip of 35% with Providence. I am excited to see what this kid can do with the basketball in meaningful games.
Backup: Lucas Morillo (FR)
Underwood’s teams play positionless basketball. Sometimes you have David Mirkovic bringing the ball up the court. I think Illinois fans could see Lucas Morillo spell some minutes for Vaaks in the backcourt.
I have Morillo as the primary backup at the No. 1 guard spot. The four-star recruit averaged 17.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game during his senior year in high school. He is also 6-foot-7, and you know how Underwood likes those big guards.
No. 2 Guard
Starter: Quentin Coleman (FR)
The freshman class for the Illini seems like it could be pretty special. I already touched on Morillo’s impact, but I could legitimately see Quentin Coleman coming in and starting at the No. 2 guard spot from day one.
Coleman is a top 35 recruit in the 2026 class. En route to winning the Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year, Coleman dropped 23.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.7 steals per game. He can light the world on fire, and I expect him to provide a huge spark to the Illinois offense.
Backup: Brandon Lee (SO)
Underwood has barely tapped into the potential of Brandon Lee. He only saw action in 18 games last season and averaged 1.7 points per game.
I have Lee coming into the 2026-27 season as the primary backup at the No. 2 guard. He has the game to come off the bench and give Illinois a jolt. Having this type of player as a reserve makes Illinois an extremely dangerous program.
Redshirt: Ethan Brown (FR)
If the roster remains the same as it is today, it wouldn’t shock me to see Ethan Brown redshirt. He is coming in from the class of 2026, and with the depth Illinois currently has on the roster, Brown can sit and learn a lot in year one.
No. 3 Wing
Starter: Andrej Stojakovic (SR)
What a luxury Illinois would have if Andrej Stojakovic came back for one final season. He was a nomad his first few years of college, but it felt like he finally found his groove with the Illini. If he comes back, he would be locked into the starting No. 3 spot.
Stojakovic was huge for Illinois in the NCAA tournament run. For the season, he averaged 13.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game. Sometimes he settles for a three-pointer, but when he gets aggressive, he is one of the most dangerous weapons in the college game.
Backup: Jake Davis (SR)
There will always be room for Jake Davis on the Illinois roster. Last season, Underwood had him starting down the stretch due to injury and the Illini getting in a groove, but I think he goes back and becomes a primary backup at the No. 3 spot again.
Davis played with so much grit in Illinois’ stretch run in 2025-26. He was a huge part of this team on both ends of the court, and if he sticks around, Underwood is going to have some incredible depth.
No. 4 Forward
Starter: David Mirkovic (SO)
I can’t tell you the last time Illinois had a player return to the program who was clearly one of the top options for the John R. Wooden Award for the best player in college basketball. If David Mikrovic came back to Champaign, he would be one of the favorites to win that award without a doubt.
Mirkovic had a freshman season that rivaled Wagler’s All-American year. He finished with 13.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. All three of those numbers ranked in the top three on the Illinois basketball team. Mirkovic is one of the most unique players I have ever seen suit up for the Illini, and his return would automatically put us in the top 10 to start next season.
Backup: Ty Rodgers (SR)
Yes, Ty Rodgers is still on the Illinois roster. I know it might not seem like it, as he hasn’t suited up since Terrence Shannon Jr. was around, but Rodgers is sticking with this team.
If Rodgers does stay around for one more year, he is likely to be the primary backup at the No. 4 spot. The last time we saw Rodgers on the court, he did a little bit of everything. I think he would be more like a combination of Stojakovic and Mirkovic, where he can rebound the basketball well and drive. That is how I believe he would be used next season.
Redshirt: Landon Davis (FR)
Much like Brown, I think Landon Davis could benefit from sitting out a year. Illinois has plenty of depth, and Davis taking a redshirt would probably be the smart move, as he could save a year of eligibility and learn from a really talented and experienced roster.
No. 5 Center
Starter: Tomislav Ivisic (SR)
It is incredible how experienced Illinois could be next season. Tomislav Ivisic would be entering his senior year, and if he does come back, I believe he would again start at the No. 5 spot.
Ivisic used to be more of a three-point shooter, but we saw that fade away last season. He is now more of a traditional big man who can shoot the deep ball on occasion. Illinois is going to have plenty of shooting in 2026-27, so having Ivisic as a 7-foot-1 big man who can bang around in the paint will be so valuable.
Backup: Zvonimir Ivisic (SR)
I love that Illinois could have both Ivisic brothers back in the fold. Zvonimir Ivisic is likely to be the primary backup to Tomislav next season if he decides to return.
Illinois would have one of the most dominant frontcourts in all of college basketball. Last season with Mirkovic at the No. 4 and the Ivisic brothers at the No. 5, Illinois was a great team. Now, they are all a year older and wiser. Just imagine what Illinois is going to look like. That is scary.
Backup: Jason Jakstys (SO)
Illinois didn’t get to see Jason Jakstys develop last season for two reasons. One, we had a lot of talent, so there wasn’t much playing time to go around. Two, the kid got injured.
I think it will be status quo for Jakstys in 2026-27. If everyone returns, Illinois won’t have much playing time due to great depth. Jakstys will likely be a deep rotational guy playing in blowout situations.
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