Brad Underwood Offers Take on David Mirkovic Passing on National Team

It’s early July, and incoming Illinois transfer Stefan Vaaks is currently repping his national team (Estonia), while Illini freshman Quentin Coleman has spent time with Team USA and is now attending the Jayson Tatum Camp. Seemingly, there is no internal pressure encouraging players to spend the entirety of their summer in Champaign.

As Illinois coach Brad Underwood said in Tuesday’s press conference, “They’re playing basketball … so the transition becomes pretty easy.” Yet big man David Mirkovic, who averaged 13.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists as a freshman in 2025-26, decided to pass up on playing for his national squad (Montenegro).

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In Underwood’s opinion, it’s because Mirkovic recognizes the opportunity in front of him – and the benefits afforded by spending quality time on the Illinois campus during the offseason.

Brad Underwood on David Mirkovic passing up national team

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) is fouled by Connecticut Huskies guard Silas Demary Jr. (2) in the second half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“I think he truly understands the benefits of [strength and conditioning coach Adam Fletcher], and getting his body right, being in the best shape he can be, being the best prepared he can be,” Underwood said of Mirkovic.

“I think those opportunities are always going to be there with his national team. He’s an outstanding player. I think he understands he’s one of the best players in college basketball. And he wants to capitalize on making the most of that opportunity and felt like that was being here.”

Mirkovic was really good a season ago. If it wasn’t for Keaton Wagler dominating headlines as a virtually unprecedented breakout megastar, Mirkovic’s emergence would have been the Illini’s main storyline of the season.

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But despite his first-year…

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Publish date : 2026-07-03 03:32:00

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