CHAMPAIGN — Illinois has three scholarships remaining and a couple needs to address on the wing and in the backcourt after losing almost all of its roster from last season.
It’s added eight players to next year’s team already.
"The portal is no doubt a prominent piece of everything that we're doing," Illinois coach Brad Underwood said. "We're not shying away from that. I love the pieces that (assistant coaches) Tim (Anderson) and Geoff (Alexander) have brought in, as that portal continues to evolve from players not just from here but around the world as well. I think there's a tremendous footprint that could be left by Orlando (Antigua) in terms of those areas. He'll be very dialed in as well."
Here’s what the additions so far will bring next season.
Kylan Boswell
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Kylan Boswell will be the most experienced point guard the Illini have had since Trent Frazier after it cycled through some younger options in 2022-23 and moved Marcus Domask into that role during the 2023-24 season. He’s played in 71 college games at Arizona and has the ability to run the show offensively and get Illinois into and through offensive sets efficiently.
Without a bigger guard like Domask, some parts of the Illini’s offense could look a little different and Boswell will have to initiate a lot of the team’s offense — especially if it is unable to get a wing scorer later in the offseason.
Morez Johnson
Morez Johnson was the top high school basketball player in Illinois last season and will help Illinois replace some of its rebounding that was crucial to last season’s roster. His strength and athleticism along with consistent skill development over his prep career give him a chance to contribute immediately after the Illini lost all three centers from the 2023-24 team this offseason.
Tomislav Ivisic
Tomislav Ivisic’s brother was coached by Illinois assistant Orlando Antigua at Kentucky last season before he followed John Calipari to Arkansas. The Croatian big played for SC Derby last season and has the ability to stretch the floor at the five spot. He also could earn big minutes with a full clearout of the Illini’s frontcourt after last season.
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Evansville forward Ben Humrichous, right, guards BYU center Aly Khalifa (50) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Ben Humrichous
Ben Humrichous gives Illinois an experienced big at the college level who has some shooting ability to stretch the floor that Underwood and the Illini have searched for in bigs in the post-Kofi Cockburn era. Humrichous averaged 14.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists at Evansville last season and can play at the four or the five for the Illini.
He’ll join Ivisic, Johnson and Carey Booth to form a deep frontcourt rotation while Ty Rodgers could slide down to the forward spot as well in a role similar to the one he shined in last postseason.
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Louisville guard Tre White reacts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Syracuse on Feb. 7 in Syracuse, N.Y. White has transferred to Illinois.
Tre White
Tre White is the closest thing Illinois has in this class to a wing scorer. He was a top recruit who has been efficient in the midrange and has flashed the ability to create his own shot and make tough buckets, but his efficiency last season left some to be desired. Part of that was being put in a tough situation on a struggling Louisville team. White was a contributor on a USC team that made it to the NCAA Tournament as a freshman.
Illinois will hope that a better supporting cast and a healthier shot diet will help get the most out of White, who can develop into a talented scorer next to some of the Illini’s other experienced transfers.
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Former Mercer guard Jake Davis drives against Georgia State. Davis was the first of the transfers to commit.Â
Jake Davis
Illinois lost almost all of its offensive production, and getting a complementary offensive piece like Jake Davis who can come into the game and make shots off the catch and off movement gives some needed spacing. He shot 38.7% from deep at Mercer last season.
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Notre Dame forward Carey Booth (0) shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wake Forest in the ACC Tournament on March 13 in Washington.Â
Carey Booth
Carey Booth was a highly-rated recruit who played 19.9 minutes per game and had some struggles as a freshman at the Power Five level at Notre Dame. He shot just 39.1% from the field but flashed high-level athleticism and the ability to make tough shots.
He could be a longer-term contributor who plays a complementary role this season behind Humrichous before getting a bigger role over future seasons after some development. A year with strength and conditioning coach Adam Fletcher could be beneficial.
Jason Jakstys
Similar to Booth, Jason Jakstys might not be asked to play starter minutes during his first season. He has a versatile skill set at the five spot with playmaking ability and shooting ability to develop into a consistent contributor in the coming seasons.