Coach Brad Underwood‘s Illinois Fighting Illini men’s basketball program is riding high after last year’s Final Four performance and sensing a wave of opportunity after the Big Ten won its first national title since 2000.
The Fighting Illini are hoping to win their first national title this coming season, but Underwood is on a six-year deal that runs through June 2032 giving him, theoretically, plenty of time to achieve his ultimate goal.
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On Monday, it was announced that one of the top players in the Class of 2027 is strongly considering Underwood’s program based on an upcoming official visit that could bring the national title caliber talent to Champaign, Illinois to start his college career.
Apr 3, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood directs players during a practice session ahead of the Final Four of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
NaVorro Bowman, Jr. has become one of the summer’s fastest risers among high school basketball players, securing the 15th spot in the Sportscenter NEXT Top 100.
Bowman, Jr. is ready to begin the next phase of his college recruitment and has named four dates for visits to four high profile college basketball programs, including the Fighting Illini, according to Sam Kayser of League Ready Hoops.
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Bowman, Jr. will begin by visiting the team that defeated Illinois in this year’s Final Four, the UConn Huskies, on Sept. 4, followed by a trip to Champaign to meet with Underwood and the Fighting Illini on Sept. 10.
His final two visits are to Austin, Texas to be greeted by the Longhorns on Sept. 19 followed by a visit to Tucson, Arizona to meet with the Wildcats’ coaching staff on Sept. 25.
Bowman, Jr. has a visit similar to former Fighting Illini star guard Ayo Dosunmu at 6-foot-3, 180 pounds and has all the tools to become an elite college basketball player.
The son of former San Francisco 49ers and Penn State Nittany Lions star NaVorro Bowman has similarly outstanding athleticism and physicality on the basketball court making him a top flight prospect in his class.
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Bowman, Jr. has been pursued by many of the country’s top college basketball programs including the aforementioned teams, plus the North Carolina Tar Heels, Kansas Jayhawks, Kentucky Wildcats, and UCLA Bruins.
Many of these teams are among an elite category of NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) power players known to offer massive deals to top tier high school hoops stars.
Bowman, Jr. is a lightning quick guard with the physicality to score in the paint and NBA level change-of-direction skills. He possesses a strong feel for the game with scoring skills extending from the mid-range out beyond the three-point line.
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The Fighting Illini cemented their place as a team to rise last season with their run to the Final Four, and as a place where freshman stars can reach the pinnacle of college basketball success in one season.
Keaton Wagler was Illinois’ leading scorer as a freshman and catapulted himself to the fifth spot in the 2026 NBA Draft as a result.
With Quentin Coleman in the fold on this year’s Fighting Illini team, Illinois has another elite level freshman who is expected to carry the flag for the program as a destination school.
Bowman, Jr.’s recruitment is just now heating up, and his skills appear to be a perfect fit for an Illinois team that knows how to maximize the success of backcourt players.
This is one recruiting saga to keep a close eye on as Underwood continues to stockpile talent for what looks like an incredibly bright future.
