Illinois basketball starts summer 2026 with minor injuries

Illinois basketball is in the midst of summer workouts and Brad Underwood recently met with media to discuss the offseason thus far. The Illini are returning over 60 percent of its scoring from their team that made the Final Four and are certainly excited to get rolling. However, Underwood updated media members with a few minor injury updates to the team.

Andrej Stojakovic

Andrej Stojakovic is as important a piece as any on this roster. His two-way abilities were vital in the Illini’s run to the Final Four. Stojakovic came alive on both sides of the ball, averaging 13.8 points per game off the bench while also playing lockdown defense on the likes of Bennett Stirtz and Terrence Hill Jr. Stojakovic dealt with multiple injuries throughout the season, including a preseason knee sprain that kept him out of the majority of the summer of 2025 and the season opener.  He also dealt with a high ankle sprain throughout the end of the regular season, which kept him out for a few games.

Per Underwood, Stojakovic had a knee arthroscopy done and has been limited in practices to start the summer.  Typically, knee arthroscopy is done to relieve loose cartilage or joint inflammation caused by ligament injuries.

Jake Davis

Jake Davis is entering his third season with Illinois basketball. The senior guard was a key role player for the Illini as he shot over 40% from the three-point line and consistently crashed the offensive glass. Davis also had some loose cartilage in his knee and had it “cleaned up”, according to Brad Underwood.

Davis is the best shooter on this Illini basketball team. He apparently struggled with some knee inflammation to end the 2025-2026 season, so he should be ready to roll once the season starts. Jake Davis is a leader on this Illini team and is surely making an impact on the young players despite not fully participating in practices.

Lucas Morillo

Lucas Morillo is expected to play a key role off the bench for Illinois basketball. The freshman combo forward can play multiple positions and has exquisite basketball feel. Per Brad Underwood, Morillo is progressing slowly after a back tweak earlier in the summer. After forward Ben Humrichous graduated, the 8th spot on the Illini basketball rotation is certainly open for competition. Morillo is expected to heavily compete for those minutes in that role.

Overall, all of these injuries seem to be minor and precautionary more than anything. Hopefully the Illini can avoid the injury bug and have a productive summer of 2026.

Per Brad Underwood, looks like Illinois is dealing with some minor injuries to start the summer:

Andrej Stojakovic had “his knee scoped” coming out of the spring.

Jake Davis had his knee “cleaned up”

Lucas Morillo is progressing after a back tweak#illini pic.twitter.com/zfescHXj0W

— Armchair Illinois (@ArmchairIllini) June 30, 2026

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