Illinois basketball lands another international big man
PEORIA — The Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team continued re-loading for the 2025-26 season Monday with a big man from the Balkans.
David Mirkovic, a 6-foot-9, 250-pound forward from Montenegro, has committed to Illinois, according to his agent, in an ESPN report.
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Mirkovic joins the Illinois front court, and brings a big, physical presence who can post up to score.
Illini: Illinois basketball lands 7-footer from NCAA transfer portal, keeps 7-foot twin
It creates a possible all-Balkans front line for the Fighting Illini next season, who already have returnee Tomislav Ivisic (7-foot-1, 255) and on Sunday added his twin, 7-foot-2 center Zvonimir Ivisic (245) for what could be the biggest front court in the Big 10.
David Mirkovic of Montenegro has committed to play basketball for Illinois, according to his agent. The 19-year-old played the last two seasons with SC Derby in Montenegro.
The 19-year-old Mirkovic averaged 8.8 points per game and 6.7 rebounds on 23 minutes in the Adriatic League, a professional league in Montenegro for which he played on the SC Derby team.
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He's scheduled to play in the Nike Hoops Summit in Portland later this week.
A top-rated international prospect, Mirkovic is considered an NBA Draft prospect. He shot 46.7% from the field and 27.3% from 3-point range in 24 games for SC Derby. He put up 22.3 points per game, 13 rebounds and 3.3 assist in the Adidas Next Generation Under-18 Tournament in 2024 in Berlin.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois basketball: Balkan big man chooses to join Illini front court
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