11 early transfer portal entrants Illinois should target

After a roller-coaster campaign, Brad Underwood and his staff can now turn to roster construction for 2025-2026 and beyond.

Improving continuity and sticking to the original plan of a two-year rebuild will be at the center of offseason plans. If the Illini can retain a significant portion of their non-one-and-done core, the task of building the rest of the roster will be much easier.

So who could fill some of those roster spots? What players in the Transfer Portal could make an impact?

Sure, players like Owen Freeman, Dedan Thomas, and Tucker DeVries will be at the very top of most rankings. At this time, they do not seem like realistic targets for the Illini. And there will be dozens more potential fits who enter the portal in the coming weeks. This list is based on players who have entered the portal or announced their intention to do so as of March 25.

Let’s dive in.

Josh Dix - G - Iowa

So let’s rip the bandage off and start with the controversial Mr. Dix.

There’s nothing controversial about what he could contribute to the Illini.

Dix is a legit sharpshooter. Last season on an underachieving Hawkeyes squad, Dix averaged 14.4 points on 50% shooting and 42% from three-point range.

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He’s an experienced Big Ten competitor with elite marksmanship and good positional size. And yes, before you ask, he will be one of the most sought-after prospects in the portal. As an upperclassman, he has the experience to provide leadership alongside Kylan Boswell on an Illini roster built to triumph in March.

Several high-end (see: Blue Blood) programs will provide significant competition for Dix’s signature. But the Illini have a clear need and a Big Ten-worthy budget to accompany coaching staff stability, and a likely solid returning core. Underwood and company can make a compelling case for Dix.

All Wright - G - Valparaiso

So the second member of the all-name team on this list, All Wright had an excellent season playing for Illini legend Roger Powell at Valpo. He shot 80% from the foul line and 38% from three-point range. With Kylan Boswell on the roster, Wright would be an excellent hedge against further backcourt attrition.

His presence would also diminish any pressure on incoming freshmen Keaton Wagler and Brandon Lee.

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As a potential second-unit sniper, his potential fit on an evolving Illini roster is clear. With three years of eligibility remaining, he could be similar to Jake Davis: a smaller school player coming off an effective freshman year who establishes a larger role than expected.

Andrew Rohde - G - Virginia

The Milwaukee native is back in the portal. And just like last time, Rohde projects as an excellent fit for the Fighting Illini. After a stellar freshman year at St. Thomas, Rohde had two solid years in Charlottesville.

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This past season, he averaged 9 points and 4 assists per game on 41% from three-point range. His point guard skills would allow Kylan Boswell to play off the ball in some sets. His length and shooting allow Illinois to be more “positionless” and switchable defensively.

A 6-foot-6 primary facilitator with court vision and perimeter excellence could fit into any program. Can the Illini lure Rohde back to the Midwest?

Isaac McKneely - G - Virginia

Two Hoos in one column.

McKneely was a major target for the Illini as a prep prospect. And for good reason. Coming out of Poce, West Virginia, McKneely was a top-70 prospect according to 247Sports.

McKneely is a career 41% three-point shooter.

(Do you sense a pattern?)

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He is yet another upperclassman with perimeter shooting prowess and power conference experience. His familiarity with Brad Underwood could potentially give the Illini an “in.” However, he’s another prospect that will be highly sought after by traditional powers in ACC country. Perhaps an old friend could lure him home to West Virginia…

Blake Harper - G - Howard

Harper accomplished a lot in his first year in DC. He averaged nearly 20 points per game for the Bison. The 6-foot-6 guard also averaged six rebounds per game.

The Gonzaga High School product chose Howard over offers from Fordham, Radford, and Manhattan. After showcasing his excellence in the MEAC, he is looking for greener pastures in which to enjoy his three remaining years of eligibility.

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His fit with the Illini is pretty clear. He is a strong, physical lefty scorer. He shot 40% from three-point range and shows an ability to play downhill. He stylistically resembles Illini legend Terrence Shannon Jr. And no, I’m not saying he’s better or even equal. But we have seen how a player who fits that archetype can thrive in Brad Underwood’s offense. He would be a home run acquisition as well. And speaking of home run acquisitions…

Lamar Wilkerson - G - Sam Houston State

So this would be a dream scenario. Lamar Wilkerson is one of the greatest offensive weapons in college basketball. It’s not surprising that he is testing the NBA Draft waters. If he’s not guaranteed a first-round spot, he could come back to college for a lucrative payday.

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He’d be a fit pretty much anywhere. For the Illini, he would project as the impactful alpha scorer the Illini will need with the likely departure of Will Riley. At 6-foot-5, he has the size to defend multiple positions and play alongside Kylan Boswell. I haven’t seen any rumors of him connected to the Illini, but when you have a super recruiter on staff, you certainly work your relationships.

Bryce Lindsay - G - James Madison

Lindsay scored 13.8 points for James Madison on 46% from the field and 41% from three-point range. He also converted 41 of his 48 free throws on the season.

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Lindsay could be the kind of shooter Illinois needs this offseason. With the likely departures of Will Riley and Kasparas Jakucionis, the Illini need as many end of shot clock dudes as they can get. Lindsay fits that profile and brings a 2:1 assist-turnover ratio.

Will his ball security be enough to be a consistent contributor in the Big Ten? Lindsay started his career at Texas A&M, so the former high three-star prospect has been on power conference radars since he was a prep prospect.

Marko Maletic - G - Western Illinois University

A sharpshooter with three years of college experience from an in-state school is the clay from which an ideal portal target can be shaped. Maletic shot 47% from three-point range for Western Illinois last season.

Does anyone on the Illini coaching staff have close connections to WIU? Anyone?

TCR // Jack Jungmann

Maletic seems worthy of early attention. Players like Dix and McNeely will be getting significant attention from the bluest of blue-blood schools early in the process. Closing on a player like Maletic helps the Illini roster construct more accurately since they will have filled one of their most important roles.

Magoon Gwath - Big - San Diego State

Gwath’s story is amazing. He emerged from humble roots to emerge out of nowhere as an elite rim protector for Coach Dutch in San Diego. Now, the rising sophomore has the opportunity to make life-changing money for his family by parlaying that success into a massive payday.

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Gwath could make a massive defensive impact in any power conference. He averaged nearly 3 blocks per game along with 5 rebounds. He brings a different skill set than Tomislav Ivisic and Morez Johnson, so he projects as the ideal additional big for the Illini. With three years of eligibility remaining, Gwath has the potential to become a significant eraser for a team with national championship upside. Can the Illini and their world-class big man coach with international ties get in the running?

Either way, take five minutes out of your day to read about this young man’s journey. It’s worth your time.

Oscar Cluff - C - South Dakota State

Cluff would be an excellent one-year player for the Illini. The grad transfer put up massive numbers for the Jackrabbits. His 17 points and 12 rebounds earned him All-Summit League first-team recognition.

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His next school will be his third in three years. He went down a level from Washington State and proceeded to dominate. Will his path of dominance continue next season in another likely power conference scenario? Can a non-shooting big make sense for an Illini team that was let down frequently by its high-volume three-point attack?

Or is the potential for his high-end rebounding alongside the relentless Morez Johnson too tantalizing to ignore?

Gabe Dynes - C - Youngstown State

Dynes is raw offensively. He shot 47% from the foul line last season for Youngstown State. But the Kentucky native averaged 3 blocks per game in only 21 minutes. Did I mention that he is 7-foot-3? From what I understand, you can’t teach that.

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As a rim protector who plays 15-25 minutes per game, Dynes would be an excellent complimentary piece to Morez Johnson and Tomislav Ivisic. He doesn’t have to be a scoring threat for the Illini. But his elite defensive potential is appealing to a team looking to consistently win the race to 90.