The Illinois Fighting Illini basketball team is still over two months out from its basketball home opener against the Farleigh Dickinson Knights, giving coach Brad Underwood and his staff plenty of time to discover and tweak new lineups.
On Thursday, Underwood added another ingredient to his cupboard as the Fighting Illini announced the addition of a new transfer player who hails from Chicago and played his college ball at Lindblom (Ill.) High School.
The new addition was announced in a release by the Fighting Illini as fans began to digest the surprising move.
Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood applauds during practice ahead of a Final Four game on Friday, April 3, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Reuters Connect - N/A Arizona State Guard Quentin McCoy Heads HomeThe Illini have added former Arizona State guard Quentin McCoy through the transfer portal, Illinois basketball said in a release.
McCoy has spent two seasons in Temple, Ariz. with former ASU coach and former Duke Blue Devils star Bobby Hurley.
He made his way into nine games with the program and did not score a point or record any other statistic.
McCoy stands 6-feet, 3 inches and weighs 175 pounds. Originally hailing from Robert Lindblom Math & Science Academy, he scored over 1,000 points in high school.
He played AAU ball with former Illini star Ayo Dosunmu and earned All-State Honorable Mention during his senior season, starting all 32 games with Lindblom and leading them to a regional championship.
McCoy Takes Final Roster SpotMcCoy will take over the 15th and final roster spot on coach Brad Underwood's team for this coming season and is expected to add depth to a team with seven players on NBA scout Jonathan Wasserman's recent top 100 NBA big board list.
McCoy originally joined Arizona State as a walk-on and was not ranked by major scouting services out of high school.
He adds a hard-nosed, willing player who will be tasked with developing himself, and helping his teammates develop, starting in practices.
McCoy Joins Seven Players in Illini BackcourtMcCoy will join seven Fighting Illini players in a crowded and talented backcourt giving him a golden opportunity to improve his game, stamina and work ethic in practice.
Freshman Quentin Coleman is a five-star prospect who is expected to start from the opening tip for coach Underwood's team, and expected to give Andrej Stojakovic a run for his money as the team's most talented guard.
Stojakovic was second on the Illini in scoring last season with 13.5 points per game, ranking behind future number five overall NBA draft pick Keaton Wagler, now with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Freshman guard Lucas Morillo brings a long 6-foot-7 frame and excellent all-around game to the Illini backcourt, similar to Wagler's from last season.
Other backcourt players include freshman three-star guard Lincoln Williams, high-scoring sophomore Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks, sophomore Blake Fagbemi, and freshman three-star guard Ethan Brown.
McCoy will have a chance to prove himself in practice, an exciting challenge for a player who started his career without a scholarship.
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