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Two Key Illinois Basketball Guards Announce Intentions to Return in 2026

Two Starters Announce Return for Illinois Basketball in 2025-26

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1 year ago

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Illinois Basketball Coach Brad Underwood
Jan 2, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts to a referee call during the first half against the Oregon Ducks at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

Despite Sunday afternoon’s (3/23) disappointing second-round NCAA Tournament loss to Mark Pope’s Kentucky Wildcats, Illinois Basketball still received some promising news before the team’s departure from Milwaukee.

Per Matthew Stevens of IlliniGuys, Following Sunday’s defeat, key starters Kylan Boswell and Tre White announced their intentions to return to the Fighting Illini for the 2025-26 season. Undoubtedly, significant news for a team in need of experienced depth moving forward as a program.

Boswell, a former Arizona transfer, made a significant impact in 2025, averaging 12.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 3.4 APG while shooting 42.7% from the field for the Illini. The Champaign native will continue to play a key role for his hometown team.

Tre White, who previously made stops at USC and Louisville, really found his stride in Champaign as the season progressed, averaging 10.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and shooting an impressive 50.7% from the field.

 

Thoughts – Kylan Boswell and Tre White Announce Return to Illinois Basketball in 2025-26

This 2024-25 team was loaded with young talent. Which, is great—though relying on them as consistent leaders through the challenges of an entire season is extremely difficult. Certainly, illness, injury, etc. didn’t help the Illini in any way. However, their ability (or lack there of at times) to rebound from roadblocks that presented themselves throughout the season, and regain confidence, was a glairing symptom of youth and and inexperience.

The star power and potential was undoubtedly there for this team, and at times, Illini fans got an exciting view of their ceiling. But, as always, development is key.

Sunday’s disheveled loss to the Wildcats may be the shining example of why Boswell and White’s return is key for the Illinois Basketball program moving forward.

With almost certain one-and-done first-round NBA Draft picks in Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley, along with impactful frontcourt players like Tomislav Ivisic and Morez Johnson Jr. – this season was a clear youth movement for the Fighting Illini. Add in key transfers such as White, Boswell, Ben Humrichous, and Carey Booth to boot, and coach Brad Underwood‘s roster saw considerable turnover. While the roster was undeniably talented, that level of turnover often leads to inconsistency, no matter how skilled the players or coaching staff.

Illinois Basketball must “get old” once again, starting now with offseason retention. Tre White and Kylan certainly are a big first step.  However, there’s certainly still work to be done in today’s fluid world of NIL and Transfer Portal.

Update: Tre White announced his intent to enter the transfer portal. White reportedly wanted a bigger on-ball role and had qualms about his usage in the Illinois offense.

Illinois Basketball

Mar 20, 2025. Milwaukee, WI, USA. Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell. Tre White (22). NCAA Tournament First Round Practice at Fiserv Forum. Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images.

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Kirkland is an expert source for Illinois athletics news. He is the lead Football analyst at Armchair Illini and has been featured in top media publications like Bleacher Report, Yard Barker, Autograph, Newsbreak, CBS Sports and more.

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