The beloved Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic, who quickly became a national fan favorite during the NCAA Tournament, isn't just a basketball player.
He's also a DJ. Yes, a disc jockey.
Between putting in work on the basketball court, streaming video games on Twitch (as well as announcing his return on the platform), and everything else he has to do as a student-athlete, Mirkovic finds time to DJ at parties.
Recently, a video of him DJ-ing, under the alias "DJ Smirk," went viral, and he was standing next to none other than Ty Rodgers, who has spent three years with the Illini, despite not playing this past season due to injury.
While Mirkovic announced his return, Rodgers entered the transfer portal, disappointing many Illinois fans. However, the clip of the two teammates Dj-ing side-by-side has sparked a new hope that Rodgers might withdraw his name from the portal.
David Mirkovic and Ty Rodgers put in off-court work together
Of course, a video of two college students DJ-ing is by no means confirmation, or even a real sign, that one of them is returning for another season with the team. No matter how desperately fans hope for it to be so.
In the video, the two are DJ-ing for a party at the Illini Union, and while Mirkovic is decked out in Illinois gear, it appears that Rodgers opted for a more neutral wardrobe.
DJ 20 (Ty Rodgers) and DJ Smirk (David Mirković) are turning up the crowd here at the #Illini Union. pic.twitter.com/xvCDYWdtI8
— Sahil Mittal (@sahil_mittal24) May 1, 2026
Yet, despite his plain white hoodie and neutral-colored shorts, Illinois fans were in the comments and replies, begging Rodgers to return for another season under head coach Brad Underwood.
During Rodgers' sophomore season (2024-25), he was a starter for the Fighting Illini, averaging 6.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.4 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game.
Over the summer of 2025, he suffered a torn patellar tendon in his left knee. The injury and subsequent surgery, to repair the damage, left him sidelined throughout the 2025-26 season as the Fighting Illini stormed back to the Final Four.
Rodgers has yet to commit to a new program out of the transfer portal, so he could withdraw his name and return for another season at Illinois. As of now, only time will tell.
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