1. Illinois basketball's NBA development could hit a new high next year. Brad Underwood's program has checked off a lot of "first since" boxes during his tenure, both in on-court success and, more recently, in NBA development. With Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley going back-to-back at Picks No. 20 and No. 21 in the first round of the NBA Draft on Wednesday, Illinois had several "first since" accomplishments.
Illinois had not just one but two one-and-done draft picks for the first time in program history
Illinois had two first-round picks in the same year for the first time since 2005
Illinois has had back-to-back years with a first-round pick for the first time since 2002-03
Illinois has had three first-round picks in a two-year span for the first time since 1989-90.
But next year, Illinois could check off a big program first. If an Illini gets drafted, Illinois would have players go in the top two rounds of the NBA Draft in three straight years for the first time in program history.
And the odds seem pretty high that they'll do so.
ESPN ranked three Illini on its way-too-early 2026 NBA Draft big board: No. 45 Andrej Stojakovic, No. 48 Tomislav Ivisic and No. 60 Zvonimir Ivisic.
Also notably on the list are former Illini target Dame Sarr (No. 9) and former Illini forward Morez Johnson Jr. (No. 33). Ultimately, Illinois chose to prioritize a more proven college commodity (Stojakovic) over the tantalizing upside of Sarr, who will play at Duke. And though Illinois should have a strong frontcourt of the Ivisic twins, David Mirkovic and Ben Humrichous, Johnson's lofty early ranking is a reminder that his loss does sting.