Stefan Vaaks Earns National Recognition Ahead of First Season at Illinois

ESPN’s Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf released their top stories, players and games to watch for the 2026-27 college basketball season. With less than 90 days until the season tips off on Nov. 2, the Illini are projected to be one of the best teams in the country.

Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks is a major reason why Illinois has a chance to compete for a national championship. Vaaks was selected as one of the top 10 transfers to watch in ESPN’s feature. He comes in at No. 9 in Borzello’s transfer portal rankings and is expected to be a major piece of Illinois’ success this season.

Vaaks is ranked No. 9 in Borzello’s transfer portal rankings behind stars like Milan Momcilovic, Flory Bidunga, John Blackwell Jr. and more.

“Surprise freshman star, Vaaks is a versatile perimeter weapon who has great positional size and can make an impact as a playmaker or a scorer,” Borzello said.

Positional size and scoring ability are exactly what Brad Underwood and offensive coordinator Tyler Underwood target. The coaching staff identified Vaaks as a priority from the start of the transfer portal and secured his commitment with little difficulty.

The Illinois staff prioritized Vaaks because he is another big combo guard whom Underwood can mold into a point guard. Illinois has seen that formula work multiple times with players like Kasparas Jakucionis, Keaton Wagler and even Marcus Domask. All three used their size to get to their spots while creating opportunities for their teammates. With more shooting surrounding him at Illinois, Vaaks should be able to attack the rim at an even higher rate while continuing to shoot the ball well from beyond the arc.

“More European flair in Champaign! Brad Underwood lost his starting backcourt from last season with Keaton Wagler going to the NBA and Kylan Boswell out of eligibility, so Vaaks will step in immediately as a primary playmaker for the Illini. He has the requisite size Underwood has come to value, too,” Borzello added.

Vaaks will join Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic, Andrej Stojakovic and David Mirkovic to recreate the “Balkan 5.” Illinois lost a lot of production in the backcourt this offseason, but it should not miss a beat with Vaaks arriving in Champaign.

The Providence guard averaged 15.8 points, 3.2 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game as a freshman. Vaaks was one of five players named to the Big East All-Freshman Team, joining Marquette’s Nijel James Jr., Villanova’s Acaden Lewis, UConn’s Braylon Mullins and Providence teammate Ja’Mier Jones. He also earned Big East Player of the Week honors twice during the season.

Vaaks was not surrounded by much talent at Providence, so his shot selection was questioned at times throughout the season. The spacing should be much better at Illinois, where nearly everyone on the floor can shoot and score at a high level. I expect Underwood to emphasize attacking the basket and improving defensively throughout the preseason, as Vaaks has already proven to be an elite shot-maker.

A sophomore leap seems likely for Vaaks, and in a better offensive system like Illinois’, he could be in for a breakout season. Vaaks has the opportunity to earn All-Big Ten honors this March and could even emerge as a dark-horse candidate for National Player of the Year. Expectations should be for him to average double figures and become one of the go-to scorers on an Illinois team that has the potential to once again field one of the best offenses in the country.

If Borzello and Medcalf are right, Illinois could once again boast one of the nation’s most dangerous backcourts with Vaaks, Andrej Stojakovic and five-star freshman Quentin Coleman leading the way.