Illinois men’s basketball kicks off its regular season at home on Nov. 3, and as is common nowadays in the NIL era, the roster looks very different compared to last year. While the Illini are returning a few key veterans, the team has also reloaded with multiple high-impact transfers, international newcomers and true freshmen.
Head coach Brad Underwood and his team were available to reporters at a local media day on Oct. 2 and Big Ten Media Day on Oct. 9. They provided insights on each player, new and returning, and their expected contributions to the team this season.
Kylan Boswell: Returning senior guard
Boswell returns to Illinois as the leader of a much more experienced roster. The Champaign native blossomed offensively in the final month of last season, scoring in double figures the final eight games, after being a stalwart defender all year. He’ll look to translate that momentum into more consistency this year while also improving his main pain point from last season: his three-point shooting.
“(I worked on) my mental aspect of the game and especially shooting; I made sure that was back on track,” Boswell said.
Boswell has also developed well physically, with head coach Brad Underwood describing him as “pound-for-pound” one of the strongest athletes he’s ever coached.
Jake Davis: Returning junior wing
Davis mainly brings shooting to this Illini roster. He shot 38.7% from deep as a freshman at Mercer in 28.6 minutes per game, but he had a slightly down year last season, only hitting 34.4% of his threes in just 9.4 minutes per game.
However, the coaching staff has the utmost faith in his ability to light it up and handle a larger role.
“Jake is an elite shooter,” Underwood said. “I can see him having a tremendous role as we create space … He’s going to play a lot.”
Blake Fagbemi: Freshman guard, Benet Academy
Fagbemi previously committed to Truman State before flipping to Illinois in May. Last season, he led Benet Academy to the IHSA Class 4A state title. The 6-foot guard from Naperville, Illinois, should spend most of his time on the bench, but he’s shown promise in practice so far.
“(He’s) right there with Kylan athletically,” Underwood said. “I mean, he’s probably got more dunks in practice at (6-foot) than anybody on our team.”
Ben Humrichous: Returning graduate student forward
Entering his sixth year of college basketball and second at Illinois, Humrichous substantially improved his physique over the summer. The 6-foot-9 forward added over 20 pounds in the offseason, giving him the opportunity to be more physical and play “booty ball,” alongside being a continued threat from deep.
“(The extra weight helps) being able to attack the rim, be comfortable finishing in the paint but then also being able to guard multiple positions with better physicality,” Humrichous said.
Tomislav Ivišić: Returning junior center
Getting Tomislav back to Champaign was a major priority for Underwood this offseason — for good reason.
He was one of Illinois’ best players last season, contributing 13 points and 7.7 rebounds per game while leading the team in three-point percentage at 7-foot-1 (35.7% on 4.8 attempts per game). Skill-wise, he has it all, so this offseason was mainly centered on physical improvement.
“I would say mostly my focus was … getting more physical, (gaining) more weight, to jump higher, to run faster, to be in better shape,” Tomislav said.
Zvonimir Ivišić: Transfer junior center, Arkansas
The twin of Tomislav, 7-foot-2 Zvonimir brings a different skill set to Champaign. While he’s also a great shooter — 37.6% from three last season — Zvonimir is quicker, more mobile and a more natural shot blocker. It remains to be seen how much the twins will play together, but Underwood has been testing it out in practice.
“I think it worked out pretty good,” Zvonimir said. “We can spread the court pretty good (together), we both talk, we can grab rebounds, block shots.”
Jason Jakstys: Returning redshirt freshman forward
Jakstys will make his debut this year after redshirting last season in favor of development. The 6-foot-10 Yorkville, Illinois, product has filled out his frame, putting on 32 pounds since arriving in Champaign just over a year ago.
“Offensive rebounding for sure,” Jakstys said about his biggest improvement. “Being able to put on a bunch of muscle, now I can actually fight guys.”
Underwood not only sees him as one of the team’s best rebounders but also as a versatile piece that can make an impact.
“He’s a little bit deceiving in that he’s got a really good handle, so he can play into a lot of different actions,” Underwood said. “Maybe our best screener … He’s got just a tremendous knack to block shots as well.”
Brandon Lee: Freshman guard, The Patrick School
Lee comes to Illinois as a four-star recruit from New Jersey. As a senior, he led his school to a 30-8 record while averaging 22 points per game.
Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing in at 195 pounds, Lee is a hard-nosed guard who loves to attack the rim on offense and is also an energetic defender with an ultra-competitive attitude.
“Big, strong, physical, just downhill, and he’s an elite finisher,” Underwood said.
David Mirković: Freshman forward, SC Derby
At 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, Mirković provides physicality in the paint and is a strong rebounder, but he also brings guard skills to the table. The 19-year-old grew up playing point guard, so he is a natural facilitator and ballhandler, and he can also step out and shoot the three.
“On offense, I’m pretty versatile,” Mirković said. “I can do whatever you need from me on the court.”
Mihailo Petrović: Sophomore guard, KK Mega Basket
Petrović is a 22-year-old true point guard that has thrived in European professional basketball. In the Adriatic League last season, he averaged 14.2 points and 7.3 assists.
Underwood described the Serbian as a “jet” who is always comfortable having the ball in his hands. Petrović’s experience should make him more consistent compared to an 18-year-old Kasparas Jakučionis last season.
“On the court, I think that in college basketball, (there) is more physicality, and (it’s) more faster,” Petrović said. “In Europe, (it) is more tactical and (slow).”
AJ Redd: Returning senior guard
Redd returns for his fourth year at Illinois after playing a career-high 14 games and 26 total minutes last season. The Chicago native will continue to sit at the end of the bench, but Underwood continues to praises him as being a key piece of the culture.
“I need to talk more about AJ all the time,” Underwood said. “Really smart, cares, understands winning, understands people.”
Ty Rodgers: Redshirt junior guard/forward
After Rodgers redshirted last season, he suffered a setback this offseason, injuring his knee during a pickup game and undergoing surgery. There is no timeline for his return.
“I was able to get closer with God,” Rodgers said about his mentality. “The things that God has for us, it’s what it is. Just having that and always thinking of that has gotten me through this process.”
Andrej Stojaković: Transfer junior wing, California
Stojaković gives Illinois an experienced scoring wing that put up 17.9 points per game last season. His ability to drive and score at the rim is impressive, and he can also cash in on midrange pull-up jumpers. Stojaković’s space to operate should only be amplified by having multiple shooting bigs that can facilitate and find him when he cuts.
“I’m just very excited,” Stojaković said. “There’s a lot of space, more than I thought going into this. It just opens the floor because everyone on this team can shoot.”
Keaton Wagler: Freshman guard, Shawnee Mission Northwest
Despite being a back-to-back state champion in Kansas, Wagler was only ranked No. 143 nationally in the class of 2025. He seems poised to outplay that ranking following high praise from Underwood and his teammates.
“He’s an elite competitor,” Underwood said. “He’s very unassuming … (He) reminds me a little bit of Ayo (Dosunmu) when he was a freshman.”
Wagler can really shoot the ball; he knocked down 45% of his threes last year. He is also, according to Underwood, an extremely good decision maker in tight quarters under the rim when deciding to finish or make the right pass.
@sahil_mittal24
