The Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team has been working feverishly this offseason to put together the pieces of a team expected to contend for if not win its first ever national championship.

One of the key pieces of the puzzle is star power forward David Mirkovic, who is the Fighting Illini's second leading returning scorer with 13.3 points per game last season, .2 points behind fellow returnee Andrej Stojakovic.

On Tuesday, word broke of Mirkovic's latest injury, one that requried surgery and led to a statement from the Fighting Illini men's basketball program.

Mirkovic suffered an injury to his foot during a Fighting Illini team workout on July 31 and underwent successful surgery on Tuesday, according to the Fighting Illini men's basketball account on X. 

The news brought dozens of comments in support of Mirkovic along with a well wish from the program itself.

"Sophomore forward David Mirkovic underwent successful surgery in Indianapolis today after suffering a left foot injury during a team workout in Champaign on July 31," the program said. 

"He is expected to make a full recovery."

Mirkovic's expected recovery time was not mentioned which sent some Illinois fans into a tizzy on X.

Team spokesperson Derrick Burson told the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette originally said that there was no timetable for the Illini star's return. 

Field of 68 founder Jeff Goodman later reported that Mirkovic is expected to miss 6-8 weeks as he recovers from the procedure.

Mirkovic hails from Nikšić, Montenegro and played 29.5 minutes per game last season for coach Brad Underwood's team. 

He shot over 48% from the field and over 37% from three-point range on over four three-point attempts per game. 

He also grabbed eight rebounds per game and dished out 2.6 assists per game making him arguably Illinois' most complete offensive player. 

Mirkovic was encouraged to stay in Champaign this offseason to prepare for the season by the Illini coaching staff instead of returning to Montenegro. 

Underwood called him "one of the best players in college basketball" and now he will have to find a way to reshuffle his lineup without Mirkovic until his return. 

The Illini's depth chart will be tested without Mirkovic as will Underwood's recent stated strategy of playing "positionless" basketball as Mirkovic was expected to be a big part of that strategy.

The Fighting Illini will have an opportunity to mix and match different lineups in practice as Mirkovic recovers and could experiment with bigger lineups including both Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic in starting roles. 

Freshman point guard Quentin Coleman could be also be thrust into a bigger role if Mirkovic remains sidelined for a long period of time.

Coleman is a multi-dimensional player whose passing skills and rebounding could help fill any potential void left by Mirkovic's absence.