CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois’ 2026 recruiting story is starting to flip. After getting iced out of top prospects’ shortlists earlier this year, head coach Brad Underwood and his staff have flipped the 2026 script, lining up one of the biggest names in the country for a September visit.
Cameron Holmes, a 6-foot-6 five-star small forward from Millennium High School in Arizona, will be in town Sept. 12 for an official visit. When ESPN tabs you as the No. 18 player in the country, you’re the kind of recruit
who makes fanbases dream about March.
Holmes looks like a level above as soon as he steps on the court, blending a pro-ready frame with the patience of a chess player. He can score at all three levels, and his length makes him a tough matchup for any opposing wing.
The Illini aren’t the only program chasing him, however. Holmes has high-profile trips scheduled to North Carolina, Texas, Gonzaga and Arizona, among others.
But getting him on campus early is a statement, and another sign Brad Underwood and his staff have the 2026 momentum arrow pointing up.
How he’d fit in Champaign
Holmes’ versatility would be a dream for Illinois’ five-out, positionless offense. He’s big enough to switch defensively across the 2-through-4 spots, skilled enough to serve as a secondary playmaker and smooth enough to get buckets while maintaining the offensive flow. Holmes could immediately slide into a wing role that stretches the floor while attacking mismatches and fueling the Illini’s pace.
For a program that already has two 2026 commits and continues to see its name in shortlists, Holmes’ visit is more proof that Underwood is building real momentum. Add Holmes to the mix, and Illinois’ 2026 group stops being a “good class” and starts looking like the foundation of something bigger.
