Illinois basketball has received the kind of August news that can completely alter a team’s preseason.
Star forward David Mirkovic underwent successful surgery on his left foot Tuesday after suffering an injury during a July 31 practice, the program announced. Although Illinois said the sophomore is expected to make a full recovery, temporarily losing its most important player represents a massive blow for Brad Underwood and the Illini.
The encouraging development is that Mirkovic’s season does not appear to be in jeopardy. According to a College Sports Wire report citing Jeff Goodman, the versatile forward is expected to miss approximately six to eight weeks and should have an opportunity to return before Illinois begins its regular season in early November.
That timeline provides hope, but it does not erase the significance of what Illinois has lost during an important stretch of offseason preparation.
Illinois must prepare without its offensive centerpiece
Mirkovic was expected to enter his sophomore season as an All-American candidate and one of the leading contenders for Big Ten Player of the Year.
He averaged 13.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists as a freshman while helping Illinois reach the Final Four. Mirkovic also made 37.5 percent of his 3-point attempts and converted 56.1 percent of his shots from inside the arc.
Those numbers only show part of his value.
At 6-foot-9, Mirkovic can rebound, stretch the floor and create opportunities for his teammates. Illinois was positioned to run a significant portion of its offense through him, especially after losing leading scorer Keaton Wagler to the NBA.
Mirkovic’s combination of size, shooting and playmaking cannot be replicated by one player. Even if he returns before the opener, he will lose valuable conditioning and practice time while his teammates install the offense and establish their roles.
Illinois must now use the next several weeks to build a contingency plan.
The Ivisic twins face immediate pressure
As Jackson Langendorf of Illinois Now noted, Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic will be asked to carry a greater burden while Mirkovic recovers.
Tomislav is the most logical candidate to inherit some of Mirkovic’s playmaking responsibilities. He has experience operating from the post and recorded 2.3 assists per game during the 2024-25 season. Illinois may need him to become a more consistent offensive hub rather than serving exclusively as a scorer and rebounder.
Zvonimir could also be pushed into a larger role or even the starting lineup. His energy and shot-blocking can change games, but he has never averaged more than 19.1 minutes in a college season. The Illini must determine whether he can maintain his effectiveness with an increased workload.
The injury also creates an unexpected opportunity for Landon Davis and Jason Jakstys. Neither was projected to have a major role, but at least one may need to become a dependable rotation piece before Mirkovic returns.
Illinois’ ceiling still depends on Mirkovic
Quentin Coleman and Stefan Vaaks can handle additional playmaking duties in the backcourt, but neither changes the basic reality facing Illinois.
Mirkovic is the player who can elevate the Illini from a good Big Ten team into a legitimate national championship contender.
The reported recovery timeline is promising enough to prevent panic. If Mirkovic returns before the season and quickly regains his conditioning, this injury could become little more than a frightening summer interruption.
However, foot injuries can be particularly concerning for bigger players, and Illinois cannot afford to rush the centerpiece of its season back onto the court.
The Illini still possess one of the most talented frontcourts in college basketball. For now, though, they must prepare for the possibility of beginning the season without the player who makes all of those pieces fit together.
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