CHAMPAIGN — The Illinois Fighting Illini are headed into another highly anticipated college basketball season, picked to finish among the top of the Big Ten Conference.

Coach Brad Underwood and the Illini have six consecutive 20-win seasons, including 22 wins in 2024-25 and a trip to the NCAA Tournament Round of 32.

The Illini lost two guards to the NBA draft in Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley, while another four players hit the transfer portal: Carey Booth (Colorado State), Tre White (Kansas), Morez Johnson (Michigan) and Dra Gibbs-Lawthorn (UNLV). Keaton Kutcher is now an assistant strength coach for the Illini.

Now Illinois has reloaded with a mix of international and high school talent. Here is a look at each player listed on the 2025-26 roster — split by returnees, transfers/international players and incoming high school recruits.

The 6-2, 215-pound native of Champaign is back for his second season with the Illini and will be a leader in the deep backcourt. He started 34 of 35 games last season, averaging 12.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists.

The 7-1, 255-pound Croatian is another top returnee for Illinois, joined this season by twin brother Zvonimir Ivisic, who transferred from Arkansas. Tomislav played started 31 games last season, leading the team in rebounding (7.7 rpg) and blocked shots (1.2 bpg). The all-Big Ten third-teamer was second on the team in scoring at 13.0 ppg.

Ben Humrichous, No. 3, graduate student forward

The 6-9, 235-pound sharpshooting Indiana native is in his second season after transferring from Evansville. He played in all 35 games with 26 starts, averaging 7.6 points and 3.8 rebounds. He led the Illini with 62 made 3-pointers, shooting 34.3 percent from the arc.

Jake Davis, No. 15, junior forward

The 6-6, 215-pound Indiana native is a reserve wing in his second season at Illinois after transferring from Mercer. He was a solid rotation player, appearing in 32 games. Davis, who Underwood called an “elite shooter” averaged 3.0 points and shot 22-for-64 from 3-point range.

Ty Rodgers, No. 20, redshirt junior guard-forward

The 6-6, 210-pound Michigan native sat out last season after starting as a sophomore. He suffered an offseason knee injury, but is recovering and will make an impact on or off the court with his veteran presence.

Jason Jakstys, No. 31, redshirt freshman forward

The 6-10, 225-pound Yorkville native and frontcourt reserve put on 15 pounds during a redshirt season and returns to the Illini. He four-star recruit was the state’s No. 4-ranked player in the Class of 2024.

AJ Redd, No. 5, senior guard

The 6-3, 170-pound Chicago native is a guard entering his fourth season with the Illini. The deep reserve and former walk-on and student manager averaged about two minutes a game over the last two seasons.

The 6-foot-7, 215-pound wing is the son of former NBA player Peja Stojakovic and one of four international newcomers for the Illini. Last season at California, the all-ACC pick led the Bears in scoring (17.9 ppg) and blocks (1.2 bpg), also averaging 4.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 33.4 minutes across 29 games. He will drive and create, called one of the top wings in college basketball by CBS Sports.

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound point guard is one of four international newcomers, who was just cleared to play. Underwood calls the point guard a “jet” with great speed and great handles, who will help the Illini push the pace of play. He averaged 14.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists for an Adriatic Basketball Association team in 2024-25.

The 7-foot-2, 250-pounder is the twin brother of returnee Tomislav Ivisic. He is a versatile and efficient big man who will be a big part of the Illini frontcourt rotation. Last season at Arkansas, he averaged 8.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in just 19 minutes per game — and leading the Razorbacks in 3-point shooting at 37.6 percent.

The 6-foot-9, 250-pound freshman is one of four international newcomers. He averaged 7.8 points and 5.2 rebounds across 50 career games in the Adriatic Basketball Association. The versatile big man will get worked into the rotation and could earn more time as the season progresses.

The 6-foot-6, 185-pounder has flashed in his early time with the Illini and is expected to play a big role in the backcourt, earning hype from Sports Illustrated’s Kevin Sweeney. Underwood said the four-star recruit from Kansas fits into the “one-and-done” category, meaning Wagler could bounce for the NBA after one season in Champaign.

Brandon Lee, No. 1, freshman guard

The 6-foot-4, 195-pounder is a four-star recruit and the No. 1 player in New Jersey — the highest-ranked recruit of this Illini class. He is strong defensively and can shoot from 3-point range. He and Wagler make for a dynamic duo coming off the bench behind Boswell and Petrovic.

The 6-foot, 180-pounder point guard was an all-stater for Class 4A state finalist Lisle Benet. He is a solid defender and facilitator and could work his way into the rotation this season, and his future is bright.