Five-Star Guard Brady Pettigrew Schedules Official Visit to Illinois

Illinois basketball is getting a closer look at one of the top guards in the 2028 class.

Composite five-star guard Brady Pettigrew has scheduled an official visit to Illinois for Oct. 2, a source confirmed. League Ready’s Sam Kayser first reported the news.

Pettigrew, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound guard from Bolingbrook High School, is ranked No. 18 nationally and No. 1 in Illinois by 247Sports. He is also considering reclassifying to the 2027 class, which could make his recruitment even more significant for the Illini.

Illinois will have plenty of competition. Brady Pettigrew has also scheduled official visits to Michigan (September 12th), Florida (September 25th), Ohio State (November 6th) and Arkansas (January 1st).

And there’s a reason so many high-major programs are chasing him.

Brady Pettigrew was named the Nike EYBL 16U Most Valuable Player after averaging 24.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game this spring and summer with Brad Beal Elite. He enters his junior season at Bolingbrook after averaging 21 points, five rebounds and three assists while helping lead the Raiders to 25 wins and a sectional title game appearance.

Pettigrew currently holds 33 Division I offers, but Coach Brad Underwood has a pretty compelling pitch.

The Illini can point to a recent track record of putting talented guards in position to thrive. From Ayo Dosunmu and Will Riley to Kasparas Jakucionis and Terrence Shannon Jr., Illinois has consistently given high-level perimeter players opportunities to handle the ball, produce and showcase their games on a national stage. And that pipeline isn’t slowing down, with Keaton Wagler entering the picture as another highly regarded guard in the program.

For Pettigrew, that matters. His skill set is off the charts, and Illinois can offer something few programs can match: a proven history of putting talented guards in prominent roles and helping them take the next step in their development.

Oct. 2 will give the Illini their opportunity to make that pitch in person.

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