Inside Illinois basketball roster: How Brad Underwood used European influence to build Fighting Illini program
Here's how Underwood built his team by going beyond the United States.
Inside Illinois basketball roster: How Brad Underwood used European influence to build Fighting Illini program originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Brad Underwood has helped bring Illinois back to prominence, producing a consistent contender since being hired in 2017.
Underwood's success is partly due to his recruiting, as the 62-year-old coach looks beyond the United States to fill out his roster. His international recruiting has helped turn the Illini into a destination for players from abroad, as seen with his 2026 squad. As the Fighting Illini aim to return to the Final Four for the first time in over two decades, Underwood is relying on several European players to lead the way.
Here's how he built his team by going beyond the United States. MARCH MADNESS HQ: Live NCAA bracket | TV schedule | Latest news and more Illinois basketball roster Player Position Year Hometown David Mirkovic Forward Freshman Niksic, Montenegro Brandon Lee Guard Freshman San Juan, Puerto Rico Andrej Stojakovic Guard Junior Thessaloniki, Greece Ben Humrichous Forward Graduate Tipton, Indiana Kylan Boswell Guard Senior Champaign, Illinois AJ Redd Guard Senior Chicago, Illinois Blake Fagbemi Guard Freshman Naperville, Illinois Toni Bilic Forward Sophomore Trogir, Croatia Tomislav Ivisic Center Junior Vodice, Croatia Zvonimir Ivisic Forward/Center Junior Vodice, Croatia Jake Davis Forward Junior McCordsville, Illinois Ty Rodgers Guard/Forward Junior Saginaw, Michigan Keaton Wagler Guard Freshman Shawnee, Kansas Jason Jakstys Center Freshman Yorkville, Illinois Mihalo Petreovic Guard Sophomore Prokuplje, Serbia Where is Illinois basketball roster from? Illinois' roster comes from all over the world, as Brad Underwood has scouted globally to fill out the 15-man squad.
Underwood acquired players from five different countries and one U. S. territory, including six players from Europe alone.