Illinois basketball is riding high on the recruiting trail with a buzz beginning to build around Brad Underwood's program headed toward the start of the 2026-27 college basketball season in November. 

Underwood and the Illini are compiling a deep roster of talent for future years including in 2028, the class where standout five-star prospect Benjamin Berrouet resides. Berrouet is a unique prospect going by his body type as he stands 6-feet-7 and already weighs 240 pounds, giving him a bulky frame that he uses to bully rival players. 

Berrouet announced he will take a visit to Champaign, Ill. in a little over a month, giving Underwood and his fellow coaches time to prepare. 

Coach Underwood's program is battling several blue blood programs for Berrouet's services including the UCLA Bruins and Kentucky Wildcats, according to a report from Kyle Tausk of 247Sports.com.  

Berrouet, also known by his nickname 'Benji,' will visit Illinois on Nov. 5, according to Dushawn London, also of 247Sports. He is currently rated as the second-best power forward in his class and is listed as Underwood's top target. 

Other programs targeting the Dynamic Prep High School student athlete from Dallas, Texas include Alabama, Michigan, Kansas, Texas and USC, all of whom have offered the bulky forward. He is one of nine players being targeted by Underwood and staff for 2028 including top center target Dylan Betts, whose impressive size and footwork have generated a buzz around his future NBA prospects.  

Berrouet helped lead Latvia to the FIBA U-16 title, its first ever, earlier this year as he compiled 22 points and 13 rebounds in the title game, where Latvia defeated France 75-69. 

He finished with averages of 23.5 points, 15.0 rebounds and 3.5 blocks during the competition, recording double-doubles in all seven games. Berrouet's vicious blocks, thunder dunks and Division-I ready awareness on the court made him stand out in international competition like few others players his age in recent history. 

His three-point shot sometimes has a bit of an awkward hitch to it, but he's still young and has plenty of time to work on his shooting skills. Berrouet's build is a bit different compared to other players Underwood has recruited in recent years, but his length, bulk, strength and awareness give him the flexibility to play both forward positions. 

He looks like the type of player who can hit the ground running upon starting his college career, a scenario Underwood and company have become fond of and have had plenty of success with lately in Champaign.