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.
Mirkovic joins the Illinois front court, and brings a big, physical presence who can post up to score.
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.
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.
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.
NEWS: 6’9 Montenegrin big man David Mirkovic has committed to Illinois, his agent Misko Raznatovic told ESPN. The 19-year-old averages 8.8 points, 6.7 rebounds in 23 minutes in the Adriatic League. He’s competing at the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland this week. pic.twitter.com/z6EfW8HwRW
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 8, 2025
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois basketball: Balkan big man chooses to join Illini front court
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