Illinois Thrives Despite Transfer Losses, Finds New Talent

The Illini have been hit hard by the transfer portal, yet they continue to maintain their success

Feb. 27, 2026 at 4:18pm

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Despite losing several key players to the transfer portal over the past few seasons, the University of Illinois basketball team has continued to thrive under head coach Brad Underwood. The Illini have shown an ability to quickly reload with new talent, whether through recruiting, the transfer portal, or international additions. Underwood credits his staff's talent evaluation and recruiting skills for the program's sustained success in the face of roster turnover.

Why it matters

The transfer portal has dramatically altered college basketball, with many programs struggling to maintain consistency amid frequent roster changes. Illinois' ability to adapt and find new contributors each year is a testament to the strength of their coaching staff and the program's overall stability.

The details

Over the past couple of seasons, Illinois has lost several impact players to the transfer portal, including Andre Curbelo, Jayden Epps, RJ Melendez, Skyy Clark, Coleman Hawkins, and most recently, Morez Johnson Jr., who has transferred to Michigan. However, Underwood and his staff have consistently been able to find replacements, whether through the portal, recruiting, or international additions. This past offseason, the Illini reloaded with a combination of overseas talent, high school prospects, and transfer portal pickups to offset the departures of Johnson, Tre White, Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, and Carey Booth.

  • In 2022, Illinois lost dazzling lead guard Andre Curbelo.
  • A year later, Jayden Epps, RJ Melendez and Skyy Clark all left the program.
  • By the 2024 campaign, the Illini had to replace Coleman Hawkins and four other rotational players.
  • This past offseason, Illinois saw the departures of Morez Johnson Jr., Tre White, Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, and Carey Booth.

The players

Brad Underwood

The head coach of the University of Illinois basketball team, who has navigated the program's roster turnover through effective talent evaluation and recruiting.

Morez Johnson Jr.

A former Illinois power forward who has transferred to the University of Michigan.

Terrence Shannon Jr.

A transfer addition to the Illinois roster who has helped the team maintain its success.

Marcus Domask

A transfer addition to the Illinois roster who has contributed to the team's recent Elite Eight run.

Quincy Guerrier

A transfer addition to the Illinois roster who has helped the team offset roster losses.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not a guy to brag. That's not what I'm trying to do here. But we've had seven pretty good years where, no matter who we've lost, there's been an ability to go out and find another fit. And it may look different. It may be a different age. And I think that seven years of 20 straight regular-season wins has shown some consistency.”

— Brad Underwood, Head Coach, University of Illinois

“I hate losing people that I really like, yet I understand in this world that everyone's got decisions to make and choices to make. And my job is to move to the next, and not dwell on that. Go find that guy who best fits our program and system. I think our consistency over time has shown that I've got a great staff.”

— Brad Underwood, Head Coach, University of Illinois

What’s next

Illinois will face off against former player Morez Johnson Jr. and his new team, the Michigan Wolverines, on February 28, 2026.

The takeaway

Illinois' ability to consistently reload with new talent despite frequent roster turnover is a testament to the strength of their coaching staff and the overall stability of the program. Their sustained success in the face of transfer losses is an impressive feat in the era of the transfer portal.