The Illinois staff has been busy this offseason trying to land its next big-time recruit to replace the minutes that will likely be lost following the 2026-27 season. Underwood has brought in plenty of talent throughout his tenure, but he has an opportunity to bring in the highest-ranked recruit in program history next season.

Class of 2027 guard NaVorro Bowman Jr. will visit Champaign on September 10, and he would become the highest-ranked recruit in Illinois history during the 247Sports era if he commits to the Illini.

Will Riley and Quentin Coleman are the only five-star prospects in program history and currently rank as the two highest-rated players. Riley is No. 1 with a 0.9951 rating, while Coleman is No. 2 at 0.9940. Bowman is currently rated 0.9953 and is the No. 13 overall player in the class in the 247Sports Composite rankings.

He would take the top spot on the list and potentially join Coleman in next year's backcourt if Coleman stays for another season. That duo, along with Stefan Vaaks and potentially even Andrej Stojakovic if he returns for a fifth season of college basketball, would give Illinois one of the best and deepest backcourts in the country.

Bowman Jr. is from Sherman Oaks, California, and attends Notre Dame High School. He had an impressive AAU season with Team Why Not, averaging 20.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game.

Bowman Jr. also played for Team USA at the FIBA U17 World Cup, where the United States won the gold medal. He started at guard for the Americans and averaged 11.9 points per game over seven games. Bowman Jr. struggled from beyond the arc throughout the FIBA World Cup but shot an impressive 71.7% from two-point range.

Illinois has been one of the best programs in the country at developing guards and sending them to the NBA over the past few seasons. Ayo Dosunmu, Terrence Shannon Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, Will Riley and Keaton Wagler will all represent the Illini in the NBA next season.

Bowman Jr. has a chance to be the next guard from Illinois to excel in college and make it to the next level. He is a combo guard who Underwood could develop into a point guard, as he has done with numerous guards throughout his tenure.

The California native is a shot-maker with the ability to take over a game with his scoring. He is a scoring guard who will likely continue to improve his passing and overall playmaking ability in college in a system that rewards playmakers.

Bowman Jr. has the size and mindset to be another Illinois guard who makes it to the NBA. He could step right into a major role in his first year in Champaign and help lead the Illini to more deep March runs if he commits.