Gravitating towards international talent has seen a significant increase in the college ranks. It should be because basketball is a global game. Illinois basketball has undoubtedly made a staple of finding incredible talent from outside the U.S. border. Those players are finding a home in the Big Ten, which has already had a deep history of it. Just look at what Michigan was able to do with Germany’s Moritz and Franz Wagner. The Fighting Illini have become a hotbed for international talent.
The 2025-26 Illini roster is going to have three very talented international big men. That comes off the back of having Kasparas Jakucionis, who is a projected lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. Illinois basketball has found a way to entice international players, and it’s only helping college basketball.
Illinois Basketball: A Hotbed for International Talent
It’s cool for a team like Illinois to land a guy from a top-level European team. That being Tomislav Ivisic, who played a big role this past season for the Illini despite dealing with an illness in late January. He averaged 13 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 32 games as a freshman. Tomislav has to be smiling now that Illinois has also added his twin brother Zvonimir Ivisic from Arkansas in the transfer portal.
Welcome to Champaign, Z
🟠 https://t.co/6dhzUnUGex pic.twitter.com/VSi9ItDo0X
— Illinois Men's Basketball (@IlliniMBB) April 7, 2025
What a deadly duo the Ivisic twins are going to be for Illinois basketball next season. If that wasn’t enough, head coach Brad Underwood was able to find a player from that same European ball club, SC Derby. This time in the form of a 6-foot-9 power forward, David Mirkovic from Montenegro. Like the Ivisic’s, Mirkovic is going to make Illinois frontcourt one of the deepest in the Big Ten.
Mirkovic has averaged 8.8 points and 6.7 rebounds playing in the Adriatic League, according to Dave Eminian from the Peroria Journal Star. The Fighting Illini aren’t messing around. But it doesn’t end there, as things could still shake up even more.
Dame Sarr Sweepstakes
If getting three players from the Adriatic League in Europe over the past several years isn’t enough, coach Underwood has made it clear he’s out for even bigger fish from across the Atlantic Ocean. Everyone knew Illinois made it big when they were able to get Jakcionis to come over from FC Barcelona.
Now, they are once again in the running for another FC Barcelona star: Dame Sarr. He’s a player that isn’t necessarily going to choose Champaign, but it’s very clear he’s on Underwood’s radar. Sarr is 6-foot-6 and could easily fit in the Illinois lineup, especially if Kasparas heads to the NBA. On3 recruiting expert Joseph Tipton has Illinois as a front-runner to land Sarr alongside the likes of Creighton and Arizona.
Dame Sarr was tremendous in Barcelona’s win over Breogan in the ACB. 🔴🔵
18-year-old Italian prospect dropped 21 points, 5/5 from two, 3/5 behind the arc. Also added 1 rebound and 3 assists to the stats sheet. 🇮🇹🌟#Eurospects pic.twitter.com/fUOFjCmnAI
— Eurospects (@Eurospects) March 2, 2025
If he does indeed choose Illinois, he’s going to join a very impressive recruiting class and Illini roster that’s hungry to compete next season and beyond. However, the roster ends up shaking out for Illinois basketball, It’s very clear that international talent has a home and a place in Champaign, Illinois.
© Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
