Top-35 Prospect Quentin Coleman Visits Illinois Ahead of Final Four

The Illini welcomed St. Louis guard Quentin Coleman to Champaign before the Final Four. Here's what to know about him.

Feb 27, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood greets the crowd before the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

The best part of a deep run in the NCAA Tournament: the domino effect. Illinois, which has coaxed reasonably high-level talent to Champaign in the Brad Underwood era, now has a new feather in its cap as a selling point to prospects. This Final Four run proves the Illini can win at the highest level.

And with Keaton Wagler’s astronomical freshman rise (not to mention the success of freshman forward David Mirkovic), it sends a message that first-year players can play a key role (if not the key role) in that run.

With that in mind, it likely wasn’t sheer coincidence that the Illini – who haven’t hosted a 2026 recruit in quite some time – welcomed four-star guard Quentin Coleman to campus before their Final Four matchup with UConn.

2026 four-star Quentin Coleman scouting report

July 19, 2025; North Augusta, South Carolina, USA; Brad Beal Elite Quentin Coleman (1) gestures to a teammate as Team Durant Evans Barning Jr. (7) defends during the Brad Beal Elite and Team Durant game at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam at Riverview Park Activity Center. Brad Beal Elite won 91-59. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale - Augusta Chronicle/USA TODAY NETWORK | Katie Goodale / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Coleman, a former Wake Forest commit, picked up an Illinois offer back in July 2025. At the time, he was just the No. 172 recruit in his class. Now, as has often proven to be the case with Illini targets, he has skyrocketed up the rankings, to No. 34 (per 247Sports). Here’s why:

A St. Louis native, Coleman has at least one attribute that is highly translatable and fits Illinois' philosophy like a glove: long-distance shooting. With his picturesque form, quick release and solid base, Coleman has all of the necessary tools of a marksman. Additionally, his ability to relocate off the ball and find windows to get his shot off is impressive – especially for a player who has had so many reps on the ball.

Coleman is comfortable in either of those roles (on-ball or off-ball), which is an encouraging sign for first-year production at the collegiate level – but he is most productive with the rock in his hands. He has solid burst but relies more on his creativity attacking the rim and his fancy footwork around it.

With a deep bag, Coleman can get to Euro steps, deceleration steps, take advantage of his long strides – or anything in between. He loves to go in transition, and is often quite successful in that mode.

At 6-foot-4, he is also a willing and able passer, able to make the over-the-top post entry or dump-off on drives. He rebounds well for his position, defends hard and appears to have all the intangibles Underwood and his staff desire from their targets. 

In other words, Coleman has the skills of a top-35 prospect, and plays with the confidence of one, yet has the grit of the eighth man in the rotation – a dream combination for Underwood.

Also worth noting: The Illini were in Coleman’s top six back in August, prior to his Wake Forest commitment. Since he re-opened his recruitment, it appears Illinois, Texas Tech and Missouri remain in strong contention (all three were in that original top six).