Illinois basketball has recruited at the highest levels over the past decade, and that isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
Brad Underwood has put together an incredible program, and the Illini continue winning every season.
No, we aren’t always led by experienced upperclassmen either. Illinois has brought in plenty of freshmen who go on to have big first years with the team. Since we have had so many great freshmen, I wanted to put together a list of the top freshmen since Underwood took over.
Here are the top 10 Illinois basketball freshman seasons in the Brad Underwood era
10. Morez Johnson Jr. (2024-25)
- 7.0 points
- 6.7 rebounds
- 1.1 blocks
- 64.2% FG
- 22-13 overall, Round of 32
As much as it pains me, I think you have to put Morez Johnson Jr. on the list of the top freshmen in the Underwood era.
Johnson committed to Illinois years before suiting up, and he stuck with that commitment through his freshman year. Before transferring to Michigan, he averaged 7.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks with the Illini as a freshman.
It was a toss-up between Johnson and Adam Miller for No. 10 on this list. I went with Johnson because of his rebounding ability and being a defensive stopper.
9. Giorgi Bezhanishvili (2018-19)
- 12.5 points
- 5.2 rebounds
- 54.2% FG
- 12-21 overall
Keaton Wagler is the most surprising freshman rise I have ever seen for Illinois basketball, but Giorgi Bezhanishvili’s freshman campaign is up there with the most shocking in the history of the program as well.
Bezhanishvili averaged 12.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and shot 54.2% from the field for an Illinois team that you could tell had the foundation to turn the corner and start winning games.
At the end of the day, Bezhanishvili could have been higher, but he lacked the shooting, and his team only won 12 games as a freshman. He still had one of the most memorable freshman campaigns for the Orange and Blue.
8. Andre Curbelo (2020-21)
- 9.1 points
- 4.2 assists
- 4.0 rebounds
- 49.8% FG
- 24-7 overall, Big Ten Tournament title, #1 seed, Round of 32
Plenty of players have come through the Illinois basketball program that I thought would be good, but ended up flopping. During Andre Curbelo’s freshman campaign, I thought he was going to be a star.
Curbelo hit the ground running in year one. Illinois had a great team that year, and Curbelo was a spark plug off the bench. He averaged 9.1 points, 4.2 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game. You couldn’t ask for more from a freshman who wasn’t a starter.
Illinois also had success on the court. We won the Big Ten Tournament that season, and the Illini notched a No. 1 seed. The ride ended in the Round of 32, but this was a huge freshman season for Curbelo.
7. Trent Frazier (2017-18)
- 12.5 points
- 3.1 assists
- 1.7 steals
- 1.5 rebounds
- 34.7% 3PT
- 43.8% FG
- 14-18 overall
Those first two years of the Underwood era were rough because of the rebuild. Trent Fraizer stuck with his commitment despite the coaching change, and it paid off.
Fraizer was one of the few bright spots during the 2017-18 campaign. He averaged 12.5 points, 3.1 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.5 rebounds per game. He also shot 34.7% from three-point range.
Illinois only won 14 games in Frazier’s freshman season. Despite the struggles from the team, Frazier put up some impressive numbers and fought through the rebuild.
6. Will Riley (2024-25)
- 12.6 points
- 4.1 rebounds
- 2.2 assists
- 43.2% FG
- 32.6% 3PT
- 22-13 overall, #6 seed, Round of 32
It sounds a little weird that a first round NBA Draft pick isn’t higher, but Illinois had some good freshmen come through the program. Will Riley is still one of the best at No. 6 on this list.
Riley only spent one season in the college ranks, and it was a special run. He finished his freshman season averaging 12.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. There were glimpses of Riley being a star, and that is what the NBA saw as well. If he had stuck around longer, I can’t imagine what he would have done in the college game.
Illinois was led by freshmen during the 2024-25 season, so there were some struggles. We still made the NCAA tournament and got to the Round of 32 with Riley as one of the main cogs.
5. Kofi Cockburn (2019-20)
- 13.3 points
- 8.8 rebounds
- 1.4 blocks
- 53.2% FG
- 21-10 overall, COVID no NCAA tournament
The 2019-20 campaign will always be a what-if. Illinois had a really good team that season, and Kofi Cockburn was a big part of why we would have been a dangerous squad in the NCAA tournament.
As a freshman, Cockburn averaged 13.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. He was a monster all three years in Champaign, but his freshman season set the tone. Cockburn also notched a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman team.
Sadly, COVID hit during Cockburn’s freshman campaign. The NCAA tournament was canceled, and we didn’t get to see what this team could have done.
4. Ayo Dosunmu (2018-19)
- 13.8 points
- 4.0 rebounds
- 3.3 assists
- 1.3 steals
- 35.2% 3PT
- 43.5% FG
- 12-21 overall
Man, the top five is such a tough list to filter through. I think at the end of the day, I have to put Ayo Dosunmu No. 4 among the best freshmen in the Underwood era.
Dosunmu was the main piece in Illinois’ resurgence. He showed the nation it is okay to come to Illinois and win games. Dosunmu averaged 13.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. He also shot an impressive 35.2% from three-point range.
Illinois had to go through some bumps in the road during Dosunmu’s freshman season. We only won 12 games, but you could tell this program’s talent was bubbling at the surface.
3. Kasparas Jakucionis (2024-25)
- 15.0 points
- 5.7 rebounds
- 4.7 assists
- 44% FG
- 31.8% 3PT
- 22-13 overall, #6 seed, Round of 32
I really wanted to put Kasparas Jakucionis at No. 2 on this list, but there were a few metrics that No. 2 had over Jakucionis. Illinois still got a great year out of Jakucionis, though.
As a freshman, Jakucionis was incredible. He averaged 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. His ability to distribute the basketball was phenomenal, and I loved his shot creation. Those are the things that the NBA liked and why they came calling.
Jakucionis only spent one season with the Illini before being a first round draft pick, but it was a great year for this star freshman. Illinois still was able to make the NCAA tournament and advanced to the Round of 32.
2. David Mirkovic (2025-26)
- 13.3 points
- 8.0 rebounds
- 2.6 assists
- 48.4% FG
- 37.5% 3PT
- 28-9 overall, #3 seed, Final Four
Buckle up, this might seem like recency bias, but I am putting David Mirkovic at No. 2 on the best freshmen in the Underwood era.
Mirkovic averaged 13.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game as a freshman. The reason he got this spot over Jakucionis is the fact that Mirkovic can do everything. He is someone who can pull down rebounds and then pull up from three-point range. His 37.5% three-point percentage is out of this world.
The NBA didn’t come knocking this year for Mirkovic, so Illinois gets him back for one more year. He was one of the main pieces on a Final Four team. That is another reason that he is in the top two. Mirkovic was a special freshman for this program.
1. Keaton Wagler (2025-26)
- 17.9 points
- 5.2 rebounds
- 4.2 assists
- 44.5% FG
- 39.7% 3PT
- 28-9 overall, #3 seed, Final Four
And then we get to No. 1. This is the most obvious answer to who the best freshman in the Underwood era would be. Keaton Wagler dazzled in his lone year in Champaign.
Wagler finished his freshman season averaging 17.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. Those numbers are all reasons why he is in the top spot. What makes Wagler stand out in a class of his own is the fact that he was efficient. He shot 39.7% from three-point range, which is a wild number.
Illinois went to the Final Four with a freshman in Wagler being the best player. He was also an All-American. Without a doubt, Wagler is the best freshman to play for Illinois during Underwood’s tenure.
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