Illinois Basketball Makes Top Four of High-Scoring Big 12 Transfer Guard

The Illini are in the mix for Jaylin Sellers, a 6-foot-4 guard who averaged 15.9 points in his junior season at UCF

Mar 9, 2024; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; UCF Knights guard Jaylin Sellers (24) reacts after scoring during the second half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

With forwards Morez Johnson Jr. and Carey Booth, as well as guard Tre White having entered the transfer portal, Illinois coach Brad Underwood and his staff are turning to the portal themselves, seeking to reload their roster for the 2025-26 season.

Among others, it seems the Illini have their sights set on Jaylin Sellers, a 6-foot-4 guard from UCF, as an option to fill one of the voids left by Illinois' portal trio – not to mention lead guard Kasparas Jakucionis, a projected NBA lottery pick who is expected to depart for the pros.

The feeling is apparently mutual, as Sellers cut his list of preferred destinations to four options on Saturday night, with Illinois making the cut (along with Georgetown, Cincinnati and Providence), according to Joe Tipton of On3 Sports.

UCF transfer guard Jaylin Sellers is down to four schools, source tells @On3sports:

Cincinnati, Georgetown, Illinois, Providence

The 6-4 senior appeared in only three games this season due to injury but averaged 15.9 PPG with UCF last season.https://t.co/5g2bGpe7Ah pic.twitter.com/T21S2AnuVs

— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) March 30, 2025

Sellers began his college career at Ball State in the MAC, playing two seasons for the Cardinals before transferring to high-major UCF in the Big 12.

Although Sellers appeared in just three games this past season – his campaign was cut short by a back injury – he put together a stellar junior season in 2023-2024, averaging 15.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals.

A career 37.3-percent three-point shooter (1.3 makes per game), Sellers would seem to fit the mold of Underwood’s preferred offensive design: positional size and long-range bombers across the board. Seller also has the ability to get downhill and attack the rim (4.6 free throws attempted per game as a junior).

Assuming the back injury isn't a long-term red flag, Sellers could give the Illini not only the skills but also the experience that they sometimes lacked last season.

More From Illinois on Sports Illustrated:

Why Illinois Basketball's Season Fell Short - And What's Next

Social Media Reacts to Illinois Losing Tre White to Transfer Portal

Morez Johnson Jr. Enters Transfer Portal, Sends Illinois Fans Spiraling