Illinois vs. UConn - NCAA Tournament Final Four

Image Taken At Illinois Fighting Illini vs. UConn Huskies Men’s Basketball Game, NCAA Tournament Final Four, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN, Saturday, April 4, 2026. Courtney Bay/Illinois Athletics

 Courtney Bay

(WAND) - Illinois star David Mirkovic will return for a second year after helping get Illinois men's basketball to the Final Four. 

During a live stream on Twitch, Mirkovic announced his return on Wednesday. 

David Mirkovic returning for second year with Illinois

Mirkovic played in all 37 games during his freshman year, averaging 13.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game in 36 starts. 

According to Illinois Athletics, Mirkovic broke Kofi Cockburn's freshman rebounds record with 297 boards. 

Mirkovic is the first player to announce his return to the program after the team advanced one game shy of the national championship for the first time in 21 years. 

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