With Mihailo Petrovic arriving on campus, the 2025-26 Illinois men’s basketball roster is finally all in one place.
Let’s preview how these guys might stack up on the depth chart.
Starters
Mihailo Petrovic
Mihailo Petrovic’s experience alone makes him a lock to be Illinois’ starting point guard this season in my opinion.
Throw in the fact that he was one of the best distributors in the Adriatic League last year, and I think he has a chance to be a great Big Ten point guard.
Kylan Boswell
Kylan Boswell’s decision to stay at Illinois for his
senior season was a big one. The Champaign native should slot in pretty seamlessly as Petrovic’s backcourt buddy.
Boswell had an up-and-down first season at Illinois, but another offseason in Brad Underwood’s system could work wonders for his game.
Andrej Stojakovic
Andrej Stojakovic, Brad Underwood’s big transfer portal addition this offseason, will be a starter on the wing for the Illini in 2025-26.
The former five-star recruit was named an All-ACC Honorable Mention in his sophomore campaign at Cal after averaging nearly 18 points per game.
Ben Humrichous
The feel around Ben Humrichous’ decision to return to Illinois was that he may be taking on a lesser role in 2025-26. Despite that, I think he gets the nod to be the starting “4” once again this season.
Humrichous didn’t necessarily light it up from downtown like he was expected to a year ago, but he still led the team with 62 made threes. Brad Underwood loves three-point shooters, so I think he rides with Ben once again.
Tomislav Ivisic
The aforementioned Illinois backcourt could be one of the best in the conference, yet the offense is likely still going to run through 7’1 Tomislav Ivisic at center. That’s how impactful Tomislav Ivisic is.
Ivisic, a third-team All-Big Ten selection last year, averaged 13.0 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game alongside two NBA draft picks.
Bench
Keaton Wagler
Word out of summer workouts is that Keaton Wagler is much more polished than expected. Given that Illinois has a relatively thin backcourt in terms of depth, Wagler is in line for a significant role off the bench as a scoring guard. I think 15 minutes per game is reasonable.
Jake Davis
A pleasant surprise last year, Jake Davis returns for his second year in the program. I think a similar role as last year (10 minutes per game) should be expected for him.
Jake’s sharpshooting and hustle will always give him a chance to get on the court. Brad Underwood likes veterans, and Davis certainly plays like one.
David Mirkovic
Another big overseas get for the Illini this year, David Mirkovic gives Illinois size and shooting in the front court, a common theme of this roster. I think there’s a world where Mirkovic starts at some point this season, but Humrichous would be my guess for that starter spot as of now.
Around 15-20 minutes per game makes sense for Mirkovic in year one.
Zvonimir Ivisic
Zvonimir Ivisic and Tomislav Ivisic will play together at times this season, but I wouldn’t expect Illinois to put them together in the starting lineup. Zvonimir offers tremendous size, great shooting, and elite shot-blocking.
“Big Z” is probably the most valuable bench asset Illinois has, so I think he plays north of 20 minutes per night.
Reserves
Brandon Lee
Brandon Lee will get a shot to play this year given Illinois’ thin backcourt and could very well trade places with Wagler depending on who’s hot.
Jason Jakstys
Jakstys has potential for spot minutes here and there if Illinois’ front court gets in serious foul trouble, but I wouldn’t expect much more than that this season.
AJ Redd/Blake Fagbemi
Redd and Fagbemi likely won’t see the court unless a game gets out of hand.
Ty Rodgers
Ty Rodgers is a huge question mark. The former Illini starter returned to the program after redshirting last year, but suffered a knee injury and underwent surgery. There’s no timetable for his return.
