Should Illinois Basketball Add a Fifth-Year Player for 2026-27?

As of mid-August, Illinois has a roster count of 14 players. Back in late June, Illini coach Brad Underwood confirmed that the Illini have “a roster [spot] open if we need it.” As a projected national title contender, Illinois doesn’t exactly need to add another player. But is there any good reason not to? And if they were to consider filling that hole, whom might Underwood consider?

Should Illinois basketball pursue another player for 2026-27?

The main drawback of a roster addition in mid-August: If the player is going to be a contributor – and if not, why tack them on to the squad this late? – it makes things that much tougher keeping everyone happy.

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Imagine being a borderline rotation player who has spent the entire summer waking up before the sun rises to get up shots, battle in practice and lift until the sun goes down – emptying the tank and pouring everything into competing for reserve minutes. Then, a newbie waltzes in off the street and steals those minutes in the blink of an eye. It goes without saying: That is not ideal for morale or overall team chemistry.

On the flip side, the name of the game is winning. And if a player can help the Illini win in 2026-27, why shouldn’t they be added to the mix? The next question: Where can Illinois use extra depth? The backcourt may be the knee-jerk reaction, as Quentin Coleman and Stefan Vaaks don’t appear to have settled reserves behind them.

But freshman Ethan Brown has reportedly impressed thus far, and Illinois has enough playmaking diversity across its roster to make a traditional backup point guard almost unnecessary. (The Illini don’t even have a traditional starting point guard.)

The wing, between proven talents Andrej Stojakovic and Jake Davis, along with potential Day 1 contributors in the freshmen trio of Zavier Zens, Lucas Morillo and Lincoln Williams, is rock-solid.

In the frontcourt, though, there may be a hole to fill. The Illini never truly addressed the departure of Ben Humrichous – either via the portal or high school recruiting. Zens can fill some of that lost production, though he doesn’t have nearly as much size as Humrichous and surely wouldn’t be the same defender or rebounder as a freshman.

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Fellow freshman Landon Davis, meanwhile, has the size and may even have the intangibles for the job. But it’s tough to expect Humrichous-level production and efficiency from a freshman.(Don’t forget: 2025-26 was Humrichous’ sixth year of college hoops.)

Plus, star forward David Mirkovic recently underwent surgery on his foot. And his timetable remains TBD (although initial reports are encouraging). In other words, an experienced veteran in the frontcourt wouldn’t be an unwelcome addition.

Cue the sudden flood of injunctions that could grant an extra year of eligibility to the class of 2022 high school graduates. Although it remains to be seen how the entire situation unfolds – these are entirely unchartered waters – programs around the country have been bolstering their rosters with these players. If the Illini elect to take the same route, here are two names they should monitor:

Fifth-year players Illinois should consider ahead of 2026-27

Elijah Saunders, 6-foot-8 forward (previous school: Maryland)

Last season, Elijah Saunders shot 41.1 percent from beyond the arc and hit 1.8 threes per game at Maryland. He also averaged 4.4 rebounds per game – 1.6 of which came on the offensive glass. Saunders can also put the ball on the floor and get to the rim or post up on occasion.

Long story short, he checks all the boxes for the Illini. Positional size and shooting. Active on the boards. Strong enough (listed at 240 pounds) to match up with bigs but mobile enough to cover some wings. And most of all, Saunders is experienced in the Big Ten.

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Nick Townsend, 6-foot-7 forward (previous school: Yale)

The stat line leaps off the page: 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. And it gets better: Nick Townsend hit 1.5 threes at a clip of 46.3 percent in 2025-26. As a result, Townsend, who played at Yale, was named the Ivy League Player of the Year.