Illinois Basketball: Where Do Mihailo Petrovic and Ty Rodgers Land Next?

More than 800 Division I players remain available, and former Illinois basketball players  Mihailo Petrovic, Brandon Lee, Ty Rodgers, and Toni Bilic are still searching for their next stop.

The transfer portal sells opportunity—fresh starts, better fits, a second chance. What it doesn’t guarantee is a place to land. Now that most of the movement has slowed, the four former Illini are still waiting, stuck in the gap between leaving and what comes next.

Brad Underwood, meanwhile, has nearly finalized a 2026–27 roster that looks ready to compete. That’s the reality in Champaign. The other side of the portal is crowded and unforgiving.

Mihailo Petrovic

Mihailo Petrovic was a skilled, creative guard who entered the season with real expectations. With Keaton Wagler’s emergence, Petrovic never found a role amidst injuries of his own. Petrovic is 23 years old and was previously extremely successful in the European leagues. A return to those leagues makes the most sense for the speedy point guard from Serbia.

Brandon Lee

Lee is the intriguing one. A former top-100 recruit with strength, defensive upside, and the ability to get downhill, his limited minutes never told the full story. His lack of a consistent outside shot ultimately held him back from cracking the rotation, especially in a system that values spacing. I was hoping to see him get more of a chance in Champaign, but it never came. There’s still a high-major player there—and someone may benefit.

Ty Rodgers and Toni Bilic

Ty Rodgers had a tough end to what was an impactful Illini career. He started on an Elite Eight team and won fans over with his hustle and toughness. But Illinois’ five-out system exposed his perimeter limitations, making his fit more complicated despite clear value. Rodgers stuck with Illinois basketball for four years, and hopefully, he can get back to full strength and contribute on a college basketball roster.

Toni Bilic remains the unknown. Recruited but never realized, he could also look overseas for a fresh start.

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