News

Mar 7, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) drives the ball during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Did the Miami Heat Pass on Damian Lillard Because of Kasparas Jakucionis?

Could the Heat's decision not to sign free agent Lillard be a sign of their confidence in rookie point guard Jakucionis?

Basketball

Did the Miami Heat Pass on Damian Lillard Because of Kasparas Jakucionis?

Could the Heat's decision not to sign free agent Lillard be a sign of their confidence in rookie point guard Jakucionis?

Recent Articles

Mar 5, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (00) during a time out in the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images

Basketball

Terrence Shannon Jr.'s Work Ethic Impresses Former MLB Star Alex Rodriguez

Shannon, a former Illinois All-American and current Minnesota Timberwolves guard, has caught the eye of his NBA club's famous owner

Dec 31, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Josh McCray (6) celebrates his touchdown against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the fourth quarter at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

Football

The Big Question: How Much Will Illinois Football Miss Josh McCray?

What has McCray, who transferred from Illinois to Georgia in the offseason, left behind in the Illini backfield?

Mar 22, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Lucas Byrd of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates win against Drake Ayala of the Iowa Hawkeyes (not pictured) during the Division I Men's Wrestling Championship held at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

News

Illinois Wrestling Coach Mike Poeta Receives Contract Extension

Poeta, who helped produce a national champion and guide the Illini to a top-10 finish last season, received a contract extension Thursday

Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Kasparas Jakucionis arrives before the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Basketball

Kasparas Jakucionis Takes on Lead Role for Miami Heat in NBA Summer League

Jakucionis, a former Illini star, showed flashes – both good and bad – when handed the reins in Thursday's Summer League outing

Mar 20, 2024; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self addresses the media during the NCAA first round practice session at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Basketball

Former Illinois Head Man Named Top Coach of the Century by The Athletic

Former Illini coach Bill Self, now at Kansas, received rare commendation in a recent analysis of college basketball coaches

Nov 23, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood during the first half against the Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

Four-Star Recruit Compared to Shaquille O'Neal Includes Illinois in Top Seven

The Illini are in the thick of the race for Marcis Ponder, a 6-foot-11, 328-pound center from Virginia

Mar 23, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against the Kentucky Wildcats at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Basketball

Illinois Basketball Quick-Hitters: Three Things to Know for July 16

Contrary to popular belief, mid-July is quite the busy time for Illini basketball. Here's what you need to know.

Mar 14, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (00) prepares to play the Orlando Magic at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Basketball

Terrence Shannon Jr. Leads Timberwolves to Third Straight NBA Summer League Victory

Behind Shannon's game-high 24 points, the Minnesota Timberwolves maintained their perfect summer league record.

Jun 1, 2024; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Nick Mingione shakes hands with Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Dan Hartleb after the game at Kentucky Proud Park. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

News

Two Illinois Right-Handers Selected in MLB Draft

Two Illinois right-handed pitchers -- Tyler Schmitt and Julius Sanchez -- were selected on Monday on Day Two of the MLB Draft.

Mar 21, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA: Illinois Fighting Illini forward Will Riley (7) drives to the hoop past Xavier Musketeers guard Marcus Foster (1) during the first half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Basketball

Washington Wizards GM Will Dawkins Sees Bright Future for Former Illini Will Riley

The head honcho of the Wizards' front office explained the thought process behind drafting Riley and the future he envisions for him.

Dec 31, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Aidan Laughery (21) runs the ball against South Carolina Gamecocks linebacker Debo Williams (0) in the fourth quarter at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

Football

Did College Football News Undervalue Illinois Football in Preseason Rankings?

The Illini landed at 23rd in CFN's preseason projections. Is that too low, or just right?

May 14, 2025; Chicago, Il, USA; Kasparas Jakucionis talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Basketball

Did the Miami Heat Bench former Illini Kasparas Jakucionis in NBA Summer League?

Despite being listed as "available", Jakucionis was a DNP in the Heat's summer league contest on Monday. Was he benched due to his poor play?

Apr 23, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra reacts in the first quarter of game two of the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Basketball

Miami Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra Praises Kasparas Jakucionis' Mental Toughness

Former Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis may be struggling on the offensive end, but Miami is encouraged by his ability to influence the game in other ways.

Dec 17, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas State Wildcats guard Coleman Hawkins (33) reacts after scoring during the second half against the Drake Bulldogs at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Basketball

Is Former Illini Coleman Hawkins Playing Himself on to Golden State's NBA Roster?

The 6-foot-10 Hawkins has shown the sort of activity and all-around play the Warriors covet from their frontcourt players

Jul 31, 2024; Paris, France; United States setter Jordyn Poulter (2) serves against Serbia in a pool A match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at South Paris Arena 1. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-Imagn Images

News

U.S. Women's Volleyball Rests Jordyn Poulter, Drops Final Prelim Match

Team USA volleyball saw its five-match winning streak come to an end on Sunday against China after electing to rest its starters

Feb 2, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Will Riley (7) drives the ball between Ohio State Buckeyes guard Bruce Thornton (2) and others players during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

Will Riley Brings More Than Scoring to NBA Summer League for Washington Wizards

Riley produced offensively with 16 points and three assists, but his impact was felt well beyond the stat sheet

Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood watches the action Friday, March 14, 2025, in a quarterfinals game at the 2025 TIAA Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament between the Maryland Terrapins and the Illinois Fighting Illini at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Basketball

Illinois Basketball Extends Offer to Athletic Center From Class of 2027

The Illini are targeting New York native Caleb Ourigou – a top-100 recruit in the class of 2027

Basketball

Illinois Basketball Offers a Pair of High-Upside Class of 2028 AAU Teammates

Illini coach Brad Underwood and his staff offered 6-foot-11 big Stra Zelic and 6-foot-8 wing Abraham Taiwo on Sunday

May 14, 2025; Chicago, Il, USA; Will Riley talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Basketball

How to Watch: A Guide for Viewing Former Illini in NBA Summer League

Want to keep tabs on former Illinois hoopers now showing out in the pros? Here's a quick viewer's guide for following along.

Feb 13, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (00) takes part in an interview after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Basketball

Terrence Shannon Jr. Dominant in Timberwolves' NBA Summer League Win

Shannon paced Minnesota with 24 points, while adding seven rebounds and three assists en route to a 94-83 win over the Denver Nuggets

Aug 11, 2024; Paris, France; United States setter Jordyn Poulter (2) in action against Italy in the women's volleyball gold medal match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at South Paris Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

News

USA Women's Volleyball Still Undefeated in VNL With Former Illini Jordyn Poulter

Former Illinois setter Poulter boosted Team USA into the Volleyball Nations League finals with a win over Canada on Saturday

Feb 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Brynn Shoup-Hill (23) tries to score defend by UCLA Bruins forward Angela Dugalic (32) during the second quarter at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

News

Former Illinois Forward Brynn Shoup-Hill Signs Pro Contract in Italy

Shoup-Hill, a 6-foot-3 forward, on Saturday signed her first pro contract, with Italy's Polisportiva Battipagliese

Nov 16, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois fighting Illini cheerleaders during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

Four-Star Recruit Jacob Eberhart Picks Illinois Over Alabama, Nebraska and More

Eberhart, who announced his intention to attend Illinois on Saturday, is the latest recruiting coup for coach Bret Bielema

Serra's Maximo Adams (25) looks to coaches as he runs down the court during the first quarter of their first-round CIF-SS playoff game at Indio High School in Indio, Calif., Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.

Basketball

Illinois Basketball Offers Maximo Adams, a Top-50 Prospect From Class of 2026

The Illini offered Maximo Adams, a 6-foot-6 sharpshooter from California, on Saturday