Welcome to Champaign Dreams
- Don Glenn
- May 10
- 5 min read
Volume 3, Issue 2, April 3, 2025
Line-up Turnover again in Champaign
Well, another basketball season is in the books, and Illini fans are already worried and excited about next season. If the past few years have taught us anything, it is that high-line-up turnover has become the standard operating procedure. It is not just the U of I, it is all over college basketball. Last season, after losses to graduation, (4) transfers (5). The Illini had 2 scholarship players returning. This season, four players have entered the transfer portal since the Illini's exit from the Tournament by Kentucky in the second round of the NCAA basketball tournament, and two have entered the NBA Draft.
WHO'S OUT?
So, Illinois lost two top players in Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley to the NBA. Starter Tre White transferred to Kentucky. Then, promising big man Morez Johnson Jr. to Michigan, Point Guard Dravon Gibbs-Lawhorn left for UNLV, and Carey Booth will play at Colorado.
Certainly, losing DG-L, Johnson Jr., White, Jakucionis, and Riely is a huge blow to the program, 57,1% of scoring and 58.5% of their rebounding, and 6.6 APG between Jakucionis and Riely.
WHAT'S LEFT?
Brian Smith, national recruiting analyst, recently said on my podcast, The NCAA Report with Don and Russ. Who you can retain is just as important as who you lose.
In that vein the Illini did hold on to two starters in Sr. Kylan Boswell and Jr. Tminslov Ivisic. They also retained Jr. Jake Davis and redshirt Sr. Ty Rodgers, and redshirt Soph. Jason Jakstys. They also got good news that Grad stuent Ben Humricous, part-time starter last season has been granted another year after the ruling by the NCAA in December of 2024, to permit student athletes who competed at a junior college for a minimum of one year and would’ve graduated this spring to receive one extra year of eligibility. Thanks to a successful lawsuit by Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia.
So, this gives the Illini a good base from the start by returning 42.9% (35.9) of their scoring from last season and 41.5% (17.7) of their rebounding in 4 players: Isivic, Boswell, Humricous, and Davis. A returning Ty Rodgers should help those numbers slightly.
WHO IS IN?
Brad Underwood has been a wizard using the portal to fit the program, bringing in players like Dain Dainja, Marcus Domask, Quincy Guerrier, Alfonzo Plummer, and Terrance Shannon Jr. This season is no different.
The Illini snagged Arkansas Big man Zvonimir Ivisic, 7'2" 235 pounds, brother of Tomislav. "Big Z," as he is called, played at Kentucky as a freshman, then transferred to Arkansas with Calipari. His career numbers are 7.6 PPG and 4 RPG. He shot 49.3% from the floor and 37.2% from the three-point line. So he can take that stretch-five role.
The second and prized pick-up in the Portal is Andrej Stojakovic, 6'7" 205 wing from Cal. Stojakovic has played at Stanford before transferring to Cal last season. He is the son of former three-time NBA All-Star Peja Stojkovic. His career numbers are 12.6 PPG, 4 RPG, and 1.3 APG. He shoots 42% from the floor and 32% from 3-point range.
The Illini also have four freshmen who could make a big impact. Four-star SG from New Jersey, Brandon Lee, 6'3", 185. Rated as the top SG in NJ. Lee also plays AAU ball for the New York Rens. He averaged 23 points and was named Breakout MVP of the 17U division at Peach Jam. Lee also has international experience. He starred for Puerto Rico at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup in June. He scored 13.3 points per game and registered 22 points in the quarterfinals vs. Team USA. He has a good mid-range jumper and averaged 22 PPG for The Patrick School in Hillsdale, NJ.
Keaton Wagler is a 6'6" 180 SG from Shawnee, Kansas. He is the Number 1 player in Kansas. His team, Shawnee Mission Northwest, won its second state title. He can handle the ball, plays good defense, and has a high basketball IQ. He could be a multi-use player. Wagler averaged over 18 points, 6 boards, and 4 assists per game, shoots 58% from the floor, 44% from the 3-point line, and 83% from the line.
\
The next two guys are part of what is being dubbed the Balkan Connection. David Mirkovic is a 6'9" 250-pound forward from Montenegro who played in the Adriatic league, where he scored 8.8 points and grabbed 7.6 Rebounds per game. He shoots 47% from the floor. But a low 27% from the arc.
Mihailo Petrovic is a 6'3" PG. The 22-year-old Serbian. and MVP of the Adriatic League. He averaged 14.4 points and 7.3 assists. He is a very smooth ball-handler and has excellent court awareness. With his experience, look for him to find his way into the spot once occupied by Jakucionis. He will come to Illinois as a Junior.
The Balkan 5 or The Illinivics
The international flavor of this team can't be denied. Illinois has seen its share of international or foreign-born talent, Andre Curbello, Kofi Cockburn, Andres Feliz, Nicco Moretti, as well as the departing Jakucionis and Riley, just to name a few. With the recent transfers and incoming overseas players this year, one group stands out from the same region of Europe.
Ivisic brothers from Croatia, Petrovic is Serbian, Andrej Stojakovic is from Greece, and
David Mirkovic is from Montenegro
(If you throw in Lee, who is Puerto Rican, you do have the makings of a mini UN).
This group of players has been given many nicknames already: the Balkan 5, the Balkan Boys, and the Illinivics.
After Coach Underwood posted this picture on his X account, it has even led to a new nickname for him. "Bradimir"! Like, he is the leader of an international gang. But all of these guys could see major playing time, and it is not hard to envision all 5 on the court together!
The Wrap-up: With the experience returning and the talent coming in, this team could make the Elite Eight again, possibly farther. Last season, you had 10 guys who had never played one minute of basketball together. This year, you have two main starters returning, plus 2 others who played critical roles last season, and a solid player coming off a redshirt year to help the new talent blend in. Look for some fun at the State Farm Center in Champaign. Get your tickets early!
Thanks for reading.
Check out my podcasts
Talking Sports with Uncle Don and The NCAA Report with Don and Russ.
You can find more of my articles at Gatewaysports.net
Comments