CHAMPAIGN — Illinois men’s basketball team does not yet have a complete team in Champaign, but the Illini at least appear to be getting closer to that becoming a reality.
The program officially announced the addition of Serbian guard Mihailo Petrovic on Thursday, more than two months after he publicly committed to the Illini. That’s at least a step forward in the process to get Petrovic to get to Champaign this fall.
“Mihailo is the consummate point guard,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said in a statement. “He has a great understanding of how the game is played. He has tremendous speed, and, being a little bit older, also has a physicality about him which we like and is needed in the Big Ten. He excels in ball screens and has all the finishes; that is a big part of his game. Mihailo has been a prolific scorer at times, or a great facilitator when needed; he takes what the game gives him. We are excited to add someone with his talent, experience, and maturity to our backcourt.”
However, as of this week, Petrovic and Montenegrin freshman forward David Mirkovic have not yet arrived in Champaign due to a combination of the university admissions process and the visa approval process.
So as the Illini have gone through summer workouts, the team has been incomplete, which provides a challenge for a talented and experienced team to jell heading into the season. The Illini return four contributors from last season — starting center Tomislav Ivisic, starting guard Kylan Boswell, rotational forward Ben Humrichous and rotational wing Jake Davis — but the rotation will feature four or five newcomers, including Petrovic and Mirkovic.