MILWAUKEE — Coach Brad Underwood of Illinois has gone far and wide to scout talent for his basketball team. This strategic recruiting method has placed the Fighting Illini just one win away from progressing past the NCAA Tournament’s first weekend for a second consecutive year. On Sunday, the sixth-seeded Illini (22-12) will compete against third-seeded Kentucky (23-11) for a coveted spot in the Midwest Region semifinals.
The current Illinois lineup boasts players from four different countries, with its top three scorers being international athletes. “The basketball community is quite interconnected,” Underwood remarked, emphasizing the global nature of the sport. Among the standout players is Kasparas Jakucionis, a possible NBA draft pick from Lithuania, who spent three years playing in Barcelona before joining Illinois. Also making headlines are Tomislav Ivisic from Croatia, a towering 7-foot-1 center, and Canadian player Will Riley.
Underwood had prior knowledge of Illinois’ European recruits long before they committed. The recruitment became crucial when reserve guard Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn remained the only player with previous NCAA Tournament experience. “We’ve tracked Kasparas for several years,” Underwood noted, highlighting his extensive stage presence in Barcelona and the widespread recognition of the talented Ivisic twins.
Tomislav’s twin brother, Zvonimir Ivisic, plays for Arkansas and has already reached the Sweet 16. Tomislav recently delivered a stellar 20-point, 10-rebound performance in the team’s 86-73 victory over Xavier, maintaining an average of 12.8 points and 7.7 rebounds this season. A significant offseason acquisition, Jakucionis, a 6-6 guard, leads the team with an average of 15 points per game.
Jakucionis shared that he received offers globally, from Australia to various colleges in Europe, but chose Illinois for its playing style, coaching team, and winning reputation, feeling a mutual trust between him and the team. His performance against Xavier was remarkable, with 16 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds, marking him as the first freshman since Kenny Anderson in 1990 to achieve such stats in a tournament game.
Underwood’s successful international recruitment was further supported by the benefits players could gain from their name, image, and likeness. “Our staff frequently visits Europe,” Underwood stated, noting how Illinois’s diverse university environment plays a part in drawing international talent. However, he jokingly mentioned a downside of managing such a diverse team, recalling potential moments when players might vent frustrations in languages he doesn’t understand.
The international roster isn’t limited to Jakucionis and Ivisic. Riley also shone during the Xavier game with a team-high 22 points, which justified Illinois’s pursuit of his skills. Additionally, Illinois secured American talents through the transfer portal, recruiting Tre White from Louisville, Kylan Boswell from Arizona, and Ben Humrichous from Evansville.
The impact of international players on the team has been significant, bringing fresh enthusiasm and quickly building team chemistry. Ivisic spoke of a smooth adaptation process, largely supported by his teammates, while Jakucionis felt his previous move to Barcelona at 15 prepared him to adapt to new environments easily.
Yet, the path hasn’t been entirely smooth for Illinois. The team struggled through challenges, including illnesses and injuries, culminating in a harsh 110-67 defeat by Duke. Nevertheless, they rallied to win five of their last six games, carried by the strength of their international players. “We’ve faced a lot of challenges this season,” Riley acknowledged, seeing them as preparation and believing now is the opportune moment for their team to excel.