Illini Now Competing with Kentucky for Five-Star Local Guard Recruit

Brad Underwood was one of the first high-major offers that 2028 guard Brady Pettigrew received, dating back to April of 2025. Now, Pettigrew's recruitment has become a lot more complicated.

The 6-foot-4, 185-pound five-star from Bolingbrook High School is one of the top basketball players in the Class of 2028. According to 247 Sports, Pettigrew is the No. 1 player in the state of Illinois and the No. 1 combo guard nationally. That stacks up to a No. 15 ranking among his high school class, which is entering its junior season.

Illinois appears to be leading the race to earn Pettigrew's commitment, but the Fighting Illini are facing steep competition. On Tuesday afternoon, Pettigrew announced via X (formerly Twitter) that he had received an offer from an SEC powerhouse.

"Blessed to receive an offer from the university of Kentucky!!" Pettigrew wrote.

The offer comes on the heels of a stellar performance from Pettigrew at the EYBL Peach Jam last week. He led the event with 23.6 points per game and also averaged 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.4 steals per outing. The effort earned Pettigrew the first-ever EYBL Peach Jam 16U Most Valuable Player honors.

Kentucky isn't the only school that Underwood has to worry about. Since receiving his landmark moment from Illinois over a year ago, Pettigrew has also earned offers from schools like Florida (June 2025), Missouri (June 2025), UNLV (Aug. 2025), Texas A&M (Oct. 2025), USC (Oct. 2025), DePaul (Nov. 2025), BYU (Dec. 2025), Seton Hall (Jan. 2026), Arkansas (May 2026), Indiana (May 2026) and LSU (May 2026).

Last month alone, Pettigrew was offered by Ohio State, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Villanova, Dayton and Tennessee. His EYBL play also earned him offers from West Virginia and the defending national champion Michigan Wolverines.

Despite the loaded competition that Illinois is facing for Pettigrew's commitment, Underwood appears to have the leg up. Penn State was the only high-major school to show they believed in Pettigrew with an offer before the Illini, and Illinois has a proven pattern of success with players similar to the local guard.

Just last season, the Fighting Illini got an All-American campaign out of Keaton Wagler, who ended up as the No. 5 overall NBA Draft pick.

Illinois does not currently have any recruits signed for the Class of 2028, but Underwood does have the fourth-best Class of 2027, according to 247 Sports. Pettigrew could follow the recent trend of reclassification and join the Illini's group of rising seniors, which features Quinton Kitt and Mason Martin.