CHAMPAIGN — David Mirkovic had the opportunity this summer to play for his Montenegrin national team but instead elected to stay on campus for summer workouts as he prepares for his sophomore season of college.
Mirkovic emerged as one of the Big Ten’s best freshmen last season, though he was overshadowed a bit by teammate Keaton Wagler, the out-of-nowhere Illini who was selected No. 5 overall by the Los Angeles Clippers.
Rather than play internationally this summer, Mirkovic is remaining on campus to spend time with an Illinois team that returns five of its top eight scorers from last season while working with strength and conditioning coach Adam Fletcher to further improve physically ahead of his sophomore season.
“I think he truly understands the benefits of Fletch and getting his body right, being in the best shape that he can be, being the best prepared he can be,” head coach Brad Underwood said. “I think those opportunities are always going to be there with his national team. He’s an outstanding player. I think he understands he’s one of the best players in college basketball, and he wants to capitalize on making the most of that opportunity and felt like that was being here.”
Mirkovic will be a key part of Illinois’ push back to the Final Four and is expected to be an offensive hub for an Illini team that has no shortage of offensive talent.
Last season, Mirkovic played in all 36 games and averaged 13.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists while shooting 37.5% on 3-pointers and 48.4% from the field. He was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team and earned All-Big Ten honorable mention.
Now with a full offseason after a freshman year in which he quickly acclimated to college hoops, buzz is beginning to build around Mirkovic. The Athletic currently projects him as a 2027 first-round draft pick.
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