Illinois became the first high‑major to offer 2027 Benet Academy forward Edvardas “Ed” Stasys, an in‑state, 6‑7 combo forward whose versatility and winning pedigree fit Brad Underwood’s recruiting blueprint.
The recruiting board for Illinois added a local name last week for their 2027 class.
Head coach Brad Underwood extended an offer to Edvardas "Ed" Stasys from Benet Academy last week, a rising prospect whose trajectory seems to mirror the other members in the 2027 recruiting cycle.
Stasys, a 6-foot-7 power forward, was a key piece on two Benet teams that reached state finals in Champaign, including a 2025 run to the state championship. Now as he enters his senior season, he will be looked upon to have an even bigger role for his team. The Benet connection is notable as Illinois already has a player from the school, Blake Fagbemi was a key member of that 2025 team.
Outside of Benet, Stasys also plays for the Illinois Wolves, a respected program under the Under Armour Association circuit that has produced several D1 talents. It was his strong play with the Wolves, and the defensive versatility that he displayed that has gotten him into the sights of some of the bigger programs in the country.
At his 6-foot-7, 190-pound size, Stasys currently profiles as a modern forward who can play as a small-ball four or turn into a wing player if he is able to improve on his shot. Evaluators
Illinois was the first high-major program to make an offer to Stasys, turning the momentum of his recruiting to beyond just mid-majors. He has already visited Illinois and DePaul. With the addition of the Illinois offer, other high-major programs could come sniffing as well on this recruitment.
He described Illinois as a "legendary program" and said he was "ecstatic" to receive the scholarship offer. Illinois is going to hope the early offer combined with the local connection could put them in the forefront when Stasys is ready to make a commitment decision.
Stasys fits a familiar profile that Illinois has currently filled out their 2027 class with. Quinton Kitt (East Peoria) and Mason Martin (Neuqua Valley) were both in-state recruits who Illinois identified early and got commitments from. Those seem to be very good early evaluations as both have recently jumped to 4-star status.
Illinois continues also to pursue national targets in the class and have recently been pursuing Navorro Bowman Jr., Cayden Daughtry, Jaxson Davis and also potential re-class Brady Pettigrew.
The Illini are coming off of a Final Four season and will be one of the preseason favorites to win the national championship next season. The hope for the program is they can translate the on-court momentum and continue it off the court with recruiting.
