Illinois didn’t bring in an international player in the traditional sense this offseason, but the Illini are still looking overseas for help. The latest name on the radar is Lithuanian forward Ignas Stombergas, who was in Champaign for Illinois’ win over Penn.
That visit makes sense given the kind of player Stombergas is. At 6-foot-10, he brings rare fluidity, and his athletic profile jumps off the page. He runs the floor like a wing, can handle the ball in transition, and uses his vertical pop to make an impact at both ends.
He’s dangerous as a finisher, whether that’s above the rim in the open floor or in the half court. Defensively, he’s just as disruptive. Stombergas is an active shot deterrent and a strong on-ball defender who uses his length, mobility and athleticism to stay attached to drivers and erase shots at the rim when they do get by him.
His production at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket backed up the tools. Stombergas was one of the standout players in the event, finishing with 16.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 68.8 percent from the field. He also grabbed 4.3 offensive rebounds per game, showing how much damage he can do on the glass.
The offensive package is more than just raw athleticism, too. Stombergas can Eurostep in transition, spin back to his left and finish, and he has touch with both hands. There’s creativity in his game, and it shows up when he gets downhill.
The one obvious swing skill is the jumper. That part of his game needs real work, and the numbers at FIBA U18 EuroBasket reflect that concern. He shot 53.2 percent from the free-throw line on 47 attempts across seven games, which is a clear warning sign.
Even so, there’s a path for him to matter in Champaign. Illinois’ frontcourt looks headed for major turnover with expiring eligibility and the 2027 NBA Draft looming, and Stombergas could offer immediate value as a rebounder, rim runner and defender.
Without a reliable shot, he’d be limited offensively. But Illinois has already shown it can function with a non-shooter in the lineup, as Jason Jakstys has done while providing value as a connector. That gives Stombergas a realistic route to minutes even before the jumper comes around.
If the shooting improves even a little, the upside gets a lot more interesting. With his athletic traits and offensive skill set, Stombergas has the kind of ceiling that could make him a major college player down the line.
In Other News...
Illinois Just Took Another Painful Hit In The Backfield
Illinois kept rolling with a 24-13 win over Nebraska, extending its conference surge and giving the Illini their first four-game league winning streak since 2022. Katin Houser led the offense with 292 passing yards and three touchdowns, helping Illinois keep control of a game that mattered both in the standings and in the bigger picture of where this team is headed.
Javari Barnetts afternoon ended on a far more troubling note. The freshman running back went down with a lower-leg injury and was carted off the field, leaving Illinois to wait on the extent of the damage to a backfield that has already had to absorb plenty this season. For a team trying to build momentum, the win was important, but the injury cloud hanging over Barnett may linger longer than the celebration. [Read more 🡒]
Illinois Faces A Huge Frontcourt Recruiting Test With 7-Foot-1 Target
Illinois is getting an early look at one of the more intriguing frontcourt prospects in the 2027 class, with 7-foot-1 center Jack Thelen set for an official visit. The former Wisconsin commit has already been on the move in his recruitment, including a recent trip to UConn that ended with an offer, and Illinois is clearly tracking him as a possible answer to future size needs inside.
The timing matters because the Illini are already thinking ahead to expected roster turnover in the frontcourt, and Thelen fits the kind of long-term reinforcement they may need to keep stacking depth. Illinois has not offered yet, which makes this visit an important evaluation point for both sides as the staff gauges whether he belongs on the board and Thelen gets a closer look at what Champaign could offer. [Read more 🡒]
Illinois Faces A Tough Ranked Test With A Short-Handed Rotation
Illinois heads into Tuesday nights ranked matchup with Texas Tech already dealing with a thinner rotation than it would like. David Mirkovic and Jake Davis are both out because of injuries, which leaves the Illini with fewer options as they prepare for a game that should tell a lot about where this team stands early in the season.
Texas Tech comes in healthy, adding another layer of difficulty for an Illinois group trying to absorb the absences and still keep its footing in a high-level test. The teams have met only once before, and Illinois won that meeting, but this one carries a different feel with the lineup questions on one side and a ranked opponent on the other. [Read more 🡒]