Illinois keeps momentum as Rivals update spotlights top in-state target Brady Pettigrew

Rivals’ latest rankings update has pointed Illinois recruiting toward a familiar draw, the kind of “backyard” talent that can shorten the time it takes to rebuild a roster around championship expectations. In the newest class-of-2028 picture, Brady Pettigrew, a 6-foot-3 guard from Bolingbrook, Illinois, has emerged as one of the most prominent home-state names on the board. The buzz around him comes as the Fighting Illini have solidified major pieces for the 2026-27 season, giving Underwood’s program a steady platform to compete for recruits who want to stay close to home while still playing meaningful games.

Illinois is heading into 2026-27 coming off a run that included an NCAA Final Four appearance and a 28-9 record. The program’s return-to-contender message has been supported by a wave of official retention news. On April 15, Illinois announced that twin centers Tomislav Ivisic and Zvonimir Ivisic, along with forward Jake Davis, are returning for the 2026-27 season. In that release, the school highlighted production and impact from the group, including Tomislav Ivisic’s shooting profile (73% from two-point range) and run-time value, Zvonimir Ivisic’s block-rate numbers, and Davis’s three-point volume and efficiency.

Continuity expanded even further on April 17, when Illinois announced that Andrej Stojakovic will return for 2026-27. Stojakovic’s return gives the Illini a rare combination of experience and skill depth, and it also matters for recruiting because it strengthens the immediate on-court product for recruits watching from the 2028 class horizon. With that core staying in place, Illinois can promise continuity rather than a full reset.

Against that backdrop, Rivals’ updated evaluations have put Pettigrew squarely in the conversation as a high-priority in-state guard. According to the report discussing the Rivals update, Pettigrew is ranked as the top prospect in Illinois for the 2028 class and was extended an offer by Illinois on April 7, 2025. Pettigrew is also described as a dynamic backcourt option whose recent EYBL play showcased offensive production, including an average of 26 points with 4.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 2 steals in the event stretch referenced by the article.

For Illinois, the recruiting implication is straightforward. A program with a stable core is more attractive to prospects because it can show how a recruit fits into a real rotation sooner. Pettigrew’s profile as a combo guard matters as the Illini work to make sure their next wave of guard play can match the physicality and defensive length they are developing in the frontcourt. Rivals ranking context, at least as reflected through public recruiting aggregations, also underscores that Pettigrew is viewed as a top-level guard for his class, including top positioning in the state and at the position level.

Still, this is only the beginning of the 2028 process. No matter how high the ranking, commitments do not arrive on the strength of a single update, and Illinois’ future roster construction will depend on decisions from players already on scholarship and from recruits slated for nearer classes. The next thing to watch is whether Pettigrew’s interest tightens around Illinois as the Illini move further into 2026-27 preparation, especially after the season’s momentum provides fresh recruiting evidence.