Las Vegas has become the center of the basketball world. Particularly this past weekend with NBA Summer League ongoing and Nike taking its EBYL circuit to the desert. Both had plenty of Illinois-centric storylines between a dozen former Illinois standouts (short timers included) playing in Summer League and several recruiting targets to watch among Nike's best. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses all that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

That's "slam dunk" in Estonian, and adding the Tabasalu native out of the transfer portal was exactly that for Illinois this offseason. Vaaks fits the mold Brad Underwood prefers with positional size and shooting and no glaring gap in his overall skill set. A combination that's worked well for the Estonian national team this month and projects to be a big deal in Champaign for the 2026-27 season. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses Vaaks, NBA Summer League and recruiting in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Workouts continue for Illinois, with the whole team save for Stefan Vaaks (back in Estonia for World Cup qualifiers) on campus and putting in the summer grind. David Mirkovic has been among the summer standouts — both on the court and for his work with strength and conditioning coach Adam Fletcher. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses the goings on at Ubben, the NBA draft and Summer League opportunities in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

This is a big week for Illinois with Keaton Wagler (and maybe Kylan Boswell) in the 2026 NBA Draft and the second week of summer workouts underway at Ubben Basketball Complex. Lottery pick. Reports of an impressive 2026-27 team in Champaign. Things  really are coming up Illinois. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more, including some recruting tidbits, in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Roster retention put Illinois in position to be considered one of the top teams in the country heading into the 2026-27 season. But there are still roles to fill in the rotation, including a rather notable Keaton Wagler-sized hole. Figuring out a familiar, but still semi-new look roster and rotation will be priority No. 1 with summer workouts underway this month. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Quentin Coleman was the most consistent player on the court for Team USA during its entire FIBA U18 AmeriCup run and the only American to make the All-Star Five. The one nitpick? It only came with a silver medal. But Coleman's performance in Leon, Mexico, further strengthened the idea he can be an impact player for Illinois as a true freshman in 2026-27. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois was a clear winner following the NBA draft early entrant withdrawal deadline. Andrej Stojakovic's return to Champaign for the 2026-27 season — full retention — raises Illinois' floor and ceiling. It's not crazy to think about Detroit and another Final Four. Maybe even that elusive national championship. Even in June. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's episode of Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois coach Brad Underwood joins our Scott Richey for another milestone episode of Inside Illini Basketball and a wide-ranging conversation that hit on the Final Four run, building the 2026-27 roster, Underwood's contract extension and the growth of college basketball.

The NBA draft is less than two months away, with Keaton Wagler still projected as a high lottery pick. Brad Underwood is in line for a contract extension and raise (and so is his coaching staff). Several Illinois players could have national team opportunities around the world. Everything's coming up Illinois, and beat writer Scott Richey discusses it all in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

This week is an important one for Illinois' Keaton Wagler, Kylan Boswell and Andrej Stojakovic with the NBA draft combine . Beat writer Scott Richey will eventually join them in Chicago, but until then he breaks down all things draft related to the likely lottery pick and the other two trying to improve their stock in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.