Brad Underwood has turned Illinois into an NBA factory.
With five draft picks since 2021, Bleacher Report’s latest mock draft has the Illini nearly doubling that total in one draft.
The first Illini projected to come off the board is Quentin Coleman
at Nol 17.
The freshman guard will have all the opportunity in the world to flourish at Illinois on a roster many project as a national championship contender.
His ability to hit shots from all over the court and his tenacity on the glass will make him a valued prospect among many NBA scouts.
Similar to Keaton Wagler, Coleman could see a rise in his draft stock throughout the season, potentially pushing him into the top 10.
The next player to come off the board is Stefan Vaaks at No. 38.
Vaaks was a top priority from Underwood this offseason, and for good reason.
His abilities as a long-range shooter and craftiness in creating offense should make him a key driver for Illinois’ offense this season.
He could also see a jump in his stock throughout the season as a primary contributor and scorer for Illinois, potentially shooting him up into the first round.
The next player, and maybe the most surprising, is Zvonimir Ivisic at No. 44.
The 7-foot-2 giant is widely regarded as one of the best rim protectors in the league and rightfully so.
What makes this pick so intriguing is that he will more than likely come off the bench for Illinois this season. While bench players being drafted is not out of the ordinary, it is notable that his brother was left off the mock draft.
Zvonimir’s athleticism at his giant size makes him an interesting piece for NBA teams to take a flyer on.
The last Illini listed in the mock is Andrej Stojakovic at No. 52.
His ability to drive to the hoop and draw attention when going downhill makes him potent at the collegiate level and could translate well to the NBA.
After going through the draft process this past spring, pick 52 may seem low, but Stojakovic likely has the most room to rise out of any of the previously mentioned Illini.
Stojakovic has room to improve in his three-point shooting and overall defense, but the Illinois system should help him improve on both of those and showcase his growth well throughout the season.
While the 2027 NBA draft is about 11 months away, there is a very high likelihood it will be painted Illinois orange and blue.
