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Harkening back to a famous two-word statement from the G.O.A.T. on March 18, 1995, Illinois forward David Mirkovic has announced today that he will be back with the Illinois Fighting Illini for the 2026-27 season.
Mirk's announcement checks off the Illini's first to-do on its retention checklist: bringing back the talented and personable forward from Montenegro. Next up for the Illini are the hopeful retentions of Andrej Stojakovic, the Ivisic twins, Jake Davis and any other players who want to return. Fingers crossed.
During his first season in Champaign, Mirkovic not only established himself as a tremendous talent but a magnetic personality, teaming up with fellow freshman Keaton Wagler to key an Illini run to its first Final Four in 21 years. With Wagler going to the NBA, retaining Mirkovic was crucial in maintaining the special chemistry that Illinois had last season. The 2025-26 Illini were one of the most enjoyable Illinois teams I have ever watched, in large part due to Wagler and Mirkovic, with such freshmen leadership and overall team selflessness not something that can be manufactured.
I have to admit that when Illinois lost Morez Johnson Jr. to the transfer portal last offseason, I was devastated. Johnson was on the trajectory to becoming an all-time Illini favorite with his junkyard dog mentality on the court. When Illinois replaced Johnson with Mirkovic, I was skeptical, thinking it would be too big of a hole to fill, especially for an international recruit new to America.
Well, I couldn't have been more wrong. By the end of the season, Mirk had become an all-time favorite Illini of mine, with Johnson an afterthought, no longer a what if but more a mercenary of the transactional nature of college basketball. While Johnson might have gotten the last laugh winning the national championship at Michigan, he did so at a price, compromising a part of himself to play the role of a fake tough guy on the court. Personally, I'd rather have the more versatile and genuine Mirkovic than the wannabe villain Morez, whose game I still like and wish well as he likely goes to the NBA.
Starting from the season opener against Jackson State, Mirkovic proved that he was more than ready to replace Johnson, not by being Morez but by being himself. While a much different player than Morez, Mirk impressed with his all-around game, competitiveness and fearlessness. Mirkovic was a hub of the Illini offense last season, with his ability to pick and pop and hit the three and, more importantly, facilitate offense. In my opinion, Illinois was its most dangerous when Mirkovic was dishing the ball from the free-throw line in.
During Illinois' Final Four run, Mirkovic's unique game and personality were on full display for all of America. In the simplest terms, Mirkovic is a hard kid not to root for and like. He plays the game with great toughness, passion and joy. He is a rare player who doesn't compound mistakes but refocuses with positive, winning plays. Even during games he struggled, Mirkovic could never be questioned in terms of his effort and desire to win.
Next to Dee Brown, Mirkovic might be the most important personality Illinois has ever had in its basketball program. Mirkovic reminds me a lot of Joakim Noah at Florida, a lovable goofball off the court and a relentless winner on it. It is so exciting to see what is in store with Mirk next season, which should be his last in Champaign as the NBA will likely be calling.
Returning to a Final Four will be much easier said than done for the Fighting Illini, though retaining Mirkovic is a great first step toward doing so. Give much credit to Head Coach Brad Underwood and his staff for not only identifying Mirkovic last offseason but retaining him this portal season. The loss of Johnson could have been devastating, but somehow, someway, Illinois found a more enjoyable and all-around valuable player in Mirkovic!
While Morez Johnson came and went, Mirkovic decided to stay, with his loyal decision to run it back much appreciated by this Illini fan!
With Mirk back in the Orange and Blue, next season is guaranteed to be quite interesting and entertaining!
Mirk's announcement checks off the Illini's first to-do on its retention checklist: bringing back the talented and personable forward from Montenegro. Next up for the Illini are the hopeful retentions of Andrej Stojakovic, the Ivisic twins, Jake Davis and any other players who want to return. Fingers crossed.
During his first season in Champaign, Mirkovic not only established himself as a tremendous talent but a magnetic personality, teaming up with fellow freshman Keaton Wagler to key an Illini run to its first Final Four in 21 years. With Wagler going to the NBA, retaining Mirkovic was crucial in maintaining the special chemistry that Illinois had last season. The 2025-26 Illini were one of the most enjoyable Illinois teams I have ever watched, in large part due to Wagler and Mirkovic, with such freshmen leadership and overall team selflessness not something that can be manufactured.
I have to admit that when Illinois lost Morez Johnson Jr. to the transfer portal last offseason, I was devastated. Johnson was on the trajectory to becoming an all-time Illini favorite with his junkyard dog mentality on the court. When Illinois replaced Johnson with Mirkovic, I was skeptical, thinking it would be too big of a hole to fill, especially for an international recruit new to America.
Well, I couldn't have been more wrong. By the end of the season, Mirk had become an all-time favorite Illini of mine, with Johnson an afterthought, no longer a what if but more a mercenary of the transactional nature of college basketball. While Johnson might have gotten the last laugh winning the national championship at Michigan, he did so at a price, compromising a part of himself to play the role of a fake tough guy on the court. Personally, I'd rather have the more versatile and genuine Mirkovic than the wannabe villain Morez, whose game I still like and wish well as he likely goes to the NBA.
Starting from the season opener against Jackson State, Mirkovic proved that he was more than ready to replace Johnson, not by being Morez but by being himself. While a much different player than Morez, Mirk impressed with his all-around game, competitiveness and fearlessness. Mirkovic was a hub of the Illini offense last season, with his ability to pick and pop and hit the three and, more importantly, facilitate offense. In my opinion, Illinois was its most dangerous when Mirkovic was dishing the ball from the free-throw line in.
During Illinois' Final Four run, Mirkovic's unique game and personality were on full display for all of America. In the simplest terms, Mirkovic is a hard kid not to root for and like. He plays the game with great toughness, passion and joy. He is a rare player who doesn't compound mistakes but refocuses with positive, winning plays. Even during games he struggled, Mirkovic could never be questioned in terms of his effort and desire to win.
Next to Dee Brown, Mirkovic might be the most important personality Illinois has ever had in its basketball program. Mirkovic reminds me a lot of Joakim Noah at Florida, a lovable goofball off the court and a relentless winner on it. It is so exciting to see what is in store with Mirk next season, which should be his last in Champaign as the NBA will likely be calling.
Returning to a Final Four will be much easier said than done for the Fighting Illini, though retaining Mirkovic is a great first step toward doing so. Give much credit to Head Coach Brad Underwood and his staff for not only identifying Mirkovic last offseason but retaining him this portal season. The loss of Johnson could have been devastating, but somehow, someway, Illinois found a more enjoyable and all-around valuable player in Mirkovic!
While Morez Johnson came and went, Mirkovic decided to stay, with his loyal decision to run it back much appreciated by this Illini fan!
With Mirk back in the Orange and Blue, next season is guaranteed to be quite interesting and entertaining!
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