Illini bring back four players, IWU’s Noah Cleveland heading to Illinois State
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Illinois and Illinois State got a better idea of their 2026 basketball rosters on Werdnesday. Illinois announced four of its players from the recent Final Four team will return for next season.
Freshman David Mirkovic and juniors Jake Davis, Tomislav Ivisic and Zvonimir Ivisic will be back for the 2026-27. All four played big roles in Illinois’ run to its first Final Four since 2005. “It’s easy to want to move,” said Illinois head coach Brad Underwood on the retention of his players.
“To keep guys from one year to the next, I think we have a good track record of guys showing improvement from their first year to their second year. You can go right on down the list. So, I expect guys to get better.
” Illinois State added a 6-foot-8 Division III All-American when Illinois Wesleyan’s Noah Cleveland announced he committed to the Redbirds. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
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