Basketball
Illinois basketball lands another European prospect: Toni Bilic
The Illini have made an in-season roster addition.
Croatian forward Toni Bilic has committed to Illinois basketball and will arrive in Champaign between semesters, according to ESPN NBA Draft expert Jonathan Givony.
“NEWS: Croatian forward Toni Bilic has committed to Illinois, his agent Misko Raznatovic told DraftExpress. The 6’9 20-year-old will arrive at semester break and be eligible to play immediately.”
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Bilic is represented by Serbian sports agent Misko Raznatovic, who also represents David Mirkovic, Zvonimir Ivisic, Tomislav Ivisic, and Mihailo Petrovic. With the addition of Bilic, Illinois will welcome its sixth Balkan player to Champaign.
Bilic competed in the Next Gen U18 EuroLeague tournament in 2023, the same event former Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis played in. Both players were named to the All-Tournament Team. The Serbian guard averaged 21.75 points, three rebounds, and 3.5 assists during the tournament.
Last season, the 20-year-old averaged three points per game in 8.4 minutes per contest for KK Cedevita Junior Zagreb. Bilic has high upside after showing promise as a teenager but will need to continue developing his game to earn playing time. He is likely to serve as a depth piece for an Illinois team that does not have many minutes available.
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