CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Last season, Kylan Boswell helped stabilize a young roster. Now he’s ready to conduct that same group after just one season with the Illini. Teammates and coaches keep pointing to the same thing: the louder his voice gets in the locker room, the more his game develops.
Now entering his second season under head coach Brad Underwood, Boswell has evolved into both Illinois’ loudest leader and engine on the court. The point guard who spent years perfecting his game is now the one setting
the tone in the locker room, in drills and late in close games.
Fellow veteran Ben Humrichous highlighted just how much that leadership has meant.
“I watched Kylan take responsibility and take control of a lot of things down the stretch when we needed him the most,” he said. “When it came to Kylan setting the tone during practice, him doing that provided a natural leader.”
Much of Boswell’s growth stems from a deeper connection with Illinois strength coach Adam Fletcher, whose role extends far beyond weights and reps. Fletcher’s careful balance of intensity and recovery has helped Boswell and the rest of the team reach another level.
“We wouldn’t be able to do anything that goes on the court without him,” Boswell said. “He’s the best in the nation. None of us would be as good as we are throughout the season without him.”
Beyond the weight room, Fletcher has built irreplaceable relationships with the players. He’s known for treating his guys like family, from checking in daily to bringing medicine to Tomislav Ivišić last season when the big man was sidelined with mono.
His blend of discipline and care has made him one of the most respected voices in the program, the kind of presence that keeps Illinois grounded through the grind of a Big Ten season.
Under new assistant Camryn Cocker, Illinois is placing an even bigger emphasis on defense, with Boswell’s voice and hustle expected to anchor that shift. His leadership has become the heartbeat of the team’s communication, setting the standard for the new-look squad.
“Communication is the biggest thing and leading by example,” Boswell said. “People don’t want to listen to somebody who’s not doing the same things they’re preaching.”
Boswell’s rise mirrors a broader shift across the program rooted in accountability and peer leadership. Veterans like Jake Davis, Ty Rodgers, and Humrichous have carried that forward, creating player-driven practices.
“It’s different when a coach says something than when a player says something,” Underwood said. “It can be much more impactful when it comes from a player… we’ve got players that understand it all, and they’re helping those young guys.”
And based on what everyone’s saying, that leadership looks like it’ll pay off this season.
“We’ve seen nothing but really a dominant Kylan Boswell in practice here the first few weeks,” Underwood said.
If that version shows up when the lights come on, Illinois fans could be in for a special campaign.
