Recruiting

Wisconsin Lutheran's Zavier Zens (23) breaks around Madison Memorial's Cole Slack (5) during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.

Zens – a rugged, sharpshooting forward from the class of 2026 – picked the Illini over Iowa and Nebraska, among others

Basketball

Zens – a rugged, sharpshooting forward from the class of 2026 – picked the Illini over Iowa and Nebraska, among others

Recent Articles

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts after a play against the UConn Huskies during the first half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Basketball

Alex Constanza, a versatile 2026 wing, is back on the market. Should Illinois pursue him again?

Feb 10, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell (25) drives the ball past Illinois Fighting Illini forward Jake Davis (15) during the second half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

Three top contenders have seemingly emerged for the sought-after Wisconsin transfer Blackwell. Which team has the edge?

Jan 7, 2026; Providence, Rhode Island, USA; Providence Friars guard Stefan Vaaks (7) reacts to game action during the first half against the UConn Huskies at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini added Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks via the portal on Sunday. What position does he slot into – and why is it so important?

Mar 12, 2026; New York, NY, USA; Providence Friars guard Stefan Vaaks (7) controls the ball against St. John's Red Storm guard Dylan Darling (0) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini received their first commitment in the transfer portal on Sunday, landing a stud guard – and social media was abuzz over it

Jan 21, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Neoklis Avdalas (17) dribbles up the court during the first half against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Basketball

The transfer portal officially opens Tuesday, and the Illini have a few needs to address. Here is a list of five players Illinois should target.

Nov 14, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood greets the crowd before the tip of the game with the Colgate Raiders at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini are going to have a massive void to fill if, as expected, freshman Keaton Wagler departs for the NBA. Can Quentin Coleman fill it?

Dec 29, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood acknowledges the fans before a game with the Chicago State Cougars at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini, who now have four total commits in the class of 2026, are climbing up the recruiting rankings

July 19, 2025; North Augusta, South Carolina, USA; Brad Beal Elite Quentin Coleman (1) gestures to a teammate as Team Durant Evans Barning Jr. (7) defends during the Brad Beal Elite and Team Durant game at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam at Riverview Park Activity Center. Brad Beal Elite won 91-59. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale - Augusta Chronicle/USA TODAY NETWORK

Basketball

The Illini landed class of 2026 guard Coleman, a top-35 prospect. Here's what to know about him and how he fits at Illinois.

Basketball

Orlando Antigua, Brad Underwood's top assistant, helped Illinois build an international pipeline that now has the Illini looking like national title contenders

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema is shown after their game Saturday, October 1, 2022 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. Illinois beat Wisconsin 34-10.

MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL

Football

Illinois added more depth to its receiving corps after signing Illinois transfer Eddie Kasper on Thursday

Sep 20, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema walks onto the field prior to the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Football

Justin Johnson is the second player of the 2027 high school graduating class to commit to Illinois after the defensive back committed to the Illini on Wednesday.

Basketball

Illini target Zhang has been a star for Veritas Prep this year, and he has seen his stock soar as a result

Oct 4, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema watches warm ups before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Football

Bret Bielema and the Illini lined up visits with a handful of potential impact recruits on Monday

Football

Illinois offered three-star offensive lineman Ian Walker on Friday and state-champ safety Jake Thies on Monday

Feb 15, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Lamar Wilkerson (3) keeps the ball from Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) during the second half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

A former Illini great visited Champaign and wound up prepping his old program to face the Big Ten's leading scorer

Sep 27, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema gives players a hand after a 34-32 win against the Southern California Trojans at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

The Illini landed former Illinois State commit Harvey and reeled in the explosive Leslie Mosley Jr. on Thursday

Jan 29, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half against the Washington Huskies at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini are shooting their shot with Nasir Anderson, widely considered the top point guard in the class of 2027

Football

The Illini signed Caden Considine, son of former NFL safety Sean Considine, and offered edge rusher Ifeanyi Emedobi over the weekend

Football

Illinois offered four high school recruits this week, including in-state four-star linebacker Jameer Miles

Football

The Illini are building off a strong season by turning their attention to the 2027 class, extending an early offer to a talented 2027 prospect

Dec 30, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema hoist the trophy with Doug from Liberty Mutual against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Football

With the transfer portal closed, the Illini extended scholarship offers to a pair of high school recruits from fertile football hotbeds

Football

Illinois signed Bowling Green transfer Isaiah Thomison and offered defensive back Darrell Mattison of Morgan Park (Chicago) on Saturday

Football

The Illini offered junior receiver Tre Moore and sophomore tight end Jordan McKinley on Friday

Nov 28, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini earned the commitment of 2027 wing Mason Martin on Friday. Here's everything to know about the addition.