It’s no secret Brad Underwood and his recruiting staff have pushed for reclaiming the pride the state of Illinois’ basketball recruiting once had.
Mason Martin, a 2027 6-foot-5 guard from Neuqua Valley High School committed to his home state school Illinois in January. 247Sports has Martin ranked as Illinois state’s No. 1 prospect, and also comes with a four star rating.
Martin marks what could be a true resurgence of in state recruiting for Illinois. For most of this decade (and century), Illinois has missed out on big in-state recruits. Just in the past five years, Illinois has lost two in-state No. 1s to Big Ten rival Michigan State, including All-American Jeremiah Fears Jr.
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Joining Fears is 2026 NBA Finals MVP, Jalen Brunson. Brunson was a huge recruiting target for Illinois out of Stevenson in 2015, losing the fight to Villanova.
Fast forward to 2026, things are looking to turn around. Martin is joined by fellow commit, and recent Monarch Academy transfer, Quentin Kitt. Kitt, originally from East Peoria, averaged 23 points-per-game. Looking ahead to the class of 2028. Illinois is prioritizing Bolingbrook combo guard Brady Pettigrew. Pettigrew has exploded in the Nike EYBL (Elite Youth Basketball League), averaging around 23 points-per-game, and earning himself a five-star ranking.
A lethal trio like this could not only change the energy for Illinois on the court, but for fans as well. People love the story of a “hometown kid,” and the pride that goes with it. It’s apparent that Underwood has changed the culture of Illini hoops, and that his repeated NCAA tournament success is bringing the kids back to Illinois.
