Coach Brad Underwood's Illinois Fighting Illini have been blessed with one of the deepest rosters in all of college basketball heading into the 2026-27 season after the addition of strong transfer portal and recruiting classes.
Among the team's newcomers is Stefan Vaaks, the former Providence star who finished third on his former team in scoring with 15.8 points per game in 2025-26. Vaaks, a native of Estonia, also finished fifth on the Friars in three-point shooting percentage at 35%, behind Corey Floyd, Jr., Jamier Jones, Jaylin Sellers and Nilavan Daniels.
Vaaks' percentage ranking can be deceiving in comparison to his former teammates, as he had the most three-point attempts on the team by far with 260.
On Monday, Vaaks was given a lofty preseason ranking by NCAA hoops analyst Andy Katz, placing him in elite company.
Vaaks Ranks Behind Providence Guard, Three Others
The Illini transfer Vaaks was ranked behind four players including a former Buffalo Bulls guard who now plays for Vaaks' former team in Providence, RI.
Katz picked Vaaks as the fifth-best three-point shooter in the country heading into the season, an ode to his high-volume shooting and scoring from beyond the arc.
Ohio State guard John Mobley Jr. ranked fourth after shooting 41.1% from deep last year while former Iowa State star and Kentucky transfer Milan Momcilovic ranked third after shooting 48.7% from three last season.
Pryce Sandfort of Nebraska was ranked second after shooting 39.9% from three last season.
Providence guard and Buffalo transfer Ryan Sabol, who shot 39.9% from three on a staggering 9.6 attempts per game last season, was Katz' choice as the best three-point shooter.
Will Vaaks Climb Three-Point Shooters List?
Vaaks now finds himself on an Illinois team that made a Final Four run last season but was beaten by UConn in the Final Four. He will be surrounded by one of the most talented teams in college basketball that must gel together in a short window of time to fulfill hopes of winning a national championship. His three-point shooting was strong last year and could improve this upcoming season if he makes the most of his opportunities.
The question is whether or not coach Underwood's team has the passing skills, and unselfishness, to get Vaaks enough open looks. Forward David Mirkovic is the leading assist man among players who were on Underwood's with just 2.6 last season, and the Illini's point guard situation looks hazy.
Vaaks has the talent to hunt for his own shot, but he will be surrounded by a group of players with similar talents who could compete for touches and get in each other's way at times.
How Vaaks and the rest of the Illini progress as passers this season could determine whether the new Illinois transfer takes his three-point shooting to the next level in 2026-27 and beyond.