Illinois Basketball Runs Like an NBA Franchise Under Brad Underwood

The Illini have adapted to the new era of college basketball by applying NBA-style practices.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 4:18pm

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Illinois head coach Brad Underwood has transformed the Illini program to operate more like an NBA franchise, utilizing extensive background checks, personality testing, and a team-first mentality to build rosters focused on winning over individual accolades. This approach has allowed Illinois to thrive in the modern era of college basketball driven by the transfer portal and NIL, as exemplified by the willingness of star player Andrej Stojakovic to accept a reserve role for the betterment of the team.

Why it matters

Underwood's innovative approach to roster-building and player development provides a blueprint for other college programs looking to adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of college basketball. By prioritizing team chemistry and culture over individual stats, Illinois has been able to attract high-level talent and sustain success, reaching the Final Four this season.

The details

Underwood has implemented a variety of NBA-style practices to build his Illinois rosters, including extensive background checks, personality testing, and a focus on finding players who prioritize winning over individual accomplishments. This approach has allowed the Illini to thrive in the modern era of college basketball, where the transfer portal and NIL have dramatically altered the recruiting landscape. A prime example is Andrej Stojakovic, a former McDonald's All-American who willingly accepted a reserve role this season after transferring from Cal, where he was the team's leading scorer. Underwood's ability to get buy-in from high-level talents like Stojakovic has been crucial to Illinois' success.

  • In the past nine years, Illinois has had only one McDonald's All-American on its roster.
  • Andrej Stojakovic averaged 17.9 points per game as a sophomore at Cal last season.
  • This year, Stojakovic is playing a reserve role for Illinois and has helped the team reach the Final Four.

The players

Brad Underwood

The head coach of the Illinois men's basketball team, who has transformed the program to operate more like an NBA franchise in terms of roster-building and player development.

Andrej Stojakovic

A former McDonald's All-American and the son of NBA All-Star Peja Stojakovic, who has willingly accepted a reserve role for Illinois this season after transferring from Cal, where he was the team's leading scorer.

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What they’re saying

“We've gone from recruiting guys when they were freshman and recruiting them for four years and you get to know what their favorite toothpaste is. Now, it's speed dating.”

— Brad Underwood, Head Coach, Illinois

“We want guys that want to play for the name on the front. We want guys who winning is important [to them]. We try to bring that up as often as we can in the process and figure that out. And, again, we're not for everybody.”

— Brad Underwood, Head Coach, Illinois

What’s next

Illinois will face UConn in the Final Four on April 5, 2026, with a chance to advance to the national championship game.

The takeaway

Brad Underwood's innovative approach to building Illinois' roster has allowed the Illini to thrive in the modern era of college basketball, prioritizing team chemistry and culture over individual stats. This model could serve as a blueprint for other programs looking to adapt to the changing landscape of the sport.