Illinois Adds Another International Standout in David Mirkovic
Illinois head coach Brad Underwood continues to build his roster through international talent, securing a commitment from David Mirkovic, a 6-foot-9 forward from Montenegro. Mirkovic most recently played for SC Derby in the Adriatic League—the same team as current Illinois players Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic. The 19-year-old averaged 8.8 points and 6.7 rebounds in 23 minutes per game and is currently competing in the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland.
This marks another key international addition for Underwood, who has leaned heavily into overseas recruiting. Alongside the Ivisic twins and Kasparas Jakucionis—who is still weighing his NBA options—Illinois is building a roster that could challenge for the Big Ten title.
If Jakucionis and fellow freshman standout Will Riley (Canada’s top prospect in the 2024 class) return, Illinois could feature a fully international starting lineup for the 2025–26 season.
Underwood’s focus on international talent comes amid changes to NIL and eligibility rules, which have made college basketball a more attractive path for European players previously developing in professional systems. While Illinois fell short of a deep NCAA Tournament run last season, the program’s international recruiting strategy appears to be gaining momentum, positioning the team for a stronger showing in the seasons ahead.
