The 2026-27 college basketball season is still months away, but next year’s NBA Draft talk has already begun. The Illini have had a first-round pick in each of the last three drafts, and it is possible that streak continues next June.
Illinois is coming off its best season in 20 years, but the talent level has not taken a dip in any way. Numerous players with NBA potential are back in Champaign for another season, while additional future pros are coming into the program.
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Lead NBA scout and insider for Bleacher Report Jonathan Wasserman recently released his 2027 NBA Draft top 100 big board, and seven Illinois players made the list.
19. Quentin Coleman
42. David Mirkovic
43. Stefan Vaaks
61. Lucas Morillo
89. Zvonimir Ivisic
92. Tomislav Ivisic
Having seven Illini players on the list proves just how talented this team is, even after losing a top-five pick in Keaton Wagler. Wagler was one of the best players to ever play at Illinois, but Quentin Coleman could be the next one-and-done freshman for Brad Underwood.
Coleman shot up to five-star status late in his high school career and is currently No. 19 on Wasserman’s most recent big board. His versatility to play both on and off the ball, along with his ability to make shots when needed, will be of great value to Illinois this upcoming season. Coleman proved he can be an effective role player while playing for the USA U18 team that won a silver medal at the AmeriCup.
Quentin Coleman Interview
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The 6-foot-3 guard from St. Louis led Team USA in rebounds at 11.4 per game, which should have Brad Underwood ecstatic.
David Mirkovic and Stefan Vaaks are two other Illini who could hear their names called in the first round of next year’s draft if they make a sophomore jump. Both players were All-Freshman Team selections in their respective conferences and should have high usage in Tyler Underwood’s offense, which will likely be ranked near the top of the nation.
Mirkovic is battling a foot injury that will keep him out for the entire offseason, but he is expected to be Illinois’ best player next season. Mirkovic might be undersized for the NBA, but he should be one of the best big men in college basketball thanks to his ability to pass, dribble and shoot from beyond the arc at 6-foot-9.
Freshman Lucas Morillo was a surprise to see on this big board despite being a top-50 recruit in the 2026 class. Morillo has a big frame and can handle the ball like a point guard, but it is unclear how many minutes he will receive in year one on this talented Illinois team. He comes in at No. 61 on Wasserman’s big board and could take a massive jump following his sophomore season when he could become more of a focal point in the offense.
Lucas Morillo Highlights
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Andrej Stojakovic, Zvonimir Ivisic and Tomislav Ivisic round out Wasserman’s rankings for the Illini. All three players are talented college players and should have monster seasons in Champaign, but it is unclear how they will fare in the NBA. Without NIL, all three might have already left the college ranks, but uncertainty over whether they would be drafted has helped keep them in college.
All three have weaknesses in their games that could hinder them from getting drafted, but their results at the college level speak for themselves.
The seven Illini on this list should all provide value to Illinois this season in their own ways. It is exciting to see the level of talent coming into the program, and it will be great to see how many of them ultimately make the jump to the next level.
