Illinois announced on Monday afternoon that Serbian point guard Mihailo Petrović has been ruled eligible by the NCAA and will compete as a sophomore this season. He has three years of collegiate eligibility remaining.
Petrović committed to the Illini back in April after spending multiple seasons playing professionally in Europe. The 22-year-old spent the 2024-25 season with KK Mega Basket in the Adriatic League. He averaged 14.2 points and 7.3 assists and was an MVP candidate in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues.
Now, Petrović will make his much-anticipated Illini debut when the team takes on Jackson State to open the regular season on Nov. 3 at State Farm Center. Petrović was nursing a hamstring injury when Illinois played an exhibition game on Oct. 19, but he competed in a closed-door scrimmage at Florida on Saturday, so the injury seems to be behind him.
Having multiple years of professional experience under his belt, as well as simply being older, Petrović is expected to bring more security and consistency to the Illini backcourt. His top-notch ability to operate in the pick-and-roll, comfortability with always having the ball in his hands and his overall speed are all strengths that Illinois hopes to benefit from.
“Mihailo adds just something we haven’t had in a long time; (he’s) just a jet,” said head coach Brad Underwood at local media day on Oct. 2. “He’s got great, great pace in the open court. He’s got great speed.”
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Petrović, being paired up with senior guard Kylan Boswell, gives Illinois one of the most experienced and high-potential backcourts in the nation, something that Underwood and both players have expressed their excitement for.
“Kylan is (an) amazing person and (an) amazing player,” Petrović said. “I like to play with him. We have good cooperation. Can’t wait to share a court with him.”
@sahil_mittal24
