Illinois’ freshman group is already drawing strong reviews, and Andrej Stojakovic thinks that class can give the Illini a real boost this season.
With expectations soaring after last year’s Final Four run, Illinois enters the 2026-2027 campaign with a roster that blends experienced returners and a loaded group of newcomers. The headliner among the freshmen is five-star Quentin Coleman, who is expected to step into Keaton Wagler’s role and make an immediate impact. But Stojakovic made clear the praise doesn’t stop there.
"Quentin has been great, Lincoln Williams has been great, Landon Davis, Ethan Brown - like, honestly, I have great things to say about all of them," Stojakovic said. "They've all made jumps that we believe can help this team, and we have a lot of depth this year."
That depth matters for a team trying to chase a title. Illinois’ 2026 recruiting class was ranked No. 27 by 247Sports, but Brad Underwood has already shown he can find players who outplay their recruiting label. Wagler arrived as a three-star from Kansas City and turned into a star for the Illini, and now Underwood has six freshmen coming in with a chance to contribute.
Coleman is projected to start, while the other newcomers could help fill out the rotation. Stojakovic singled out Lincoln Williams, Ethan Brown and Landon Davis, and the class also includes four-stars Lucas Morillo and Zavier Zens, giving Illinois even more options on the bench.
That kind of balance could be important once the season starts to wear on. The veterans - Stojakovic, David Mirkovic and Tomislav Ivisic - will carry a big load, but the freshmen give Underwood a chance to keep the group fresh and build toward the future at the same time.
Illinois won’t have Wagler after his move to the NBA, and more talent is expected to leave after this season. That makes this freshman class even more significant. Stojakovic’s comments suggest the newcomers have already taken steps forward in the offseason, and Illinois will be counting on that growth as it tries to turn this season into its best shot at a national championship and, as the source notes, its first NCAA Tournament trip to the big game in program history.
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