Illini basketball lands transfer pickup Stefan Vaaks from Providence, per reports

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - Illinois men's basketball acquired freshman guard Stefan Vaaks from Providence in the transfer portal.

According to ESPN's Jeff Borzello, the Estonia native is a Top-10 player in the portal.

NEWS: Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks has committed to Illinois, his agents at Excel Sports Management told ESPN. Top-10 player in the portal. Estonia native averaged 15.8 points and 3.2 assists and scored 20-plus points against St. John's (twice), Villanova (twice) and UConn. pic.twitter.com/3NGUCZDHG1
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) April 12, 2026

Vaaks ranked 3rd on the Friars in scoring, averaging 15.8 points per game, while finishing 2nd in total points with 491 this past season. In addition, the freshman added 99 assists during his first season, and hit 35-percent of his 3-point attempts. His efforts earned him Big East All-Freshman team honors.

Providence finished last season with an overall record of 15-18 and a 7-13 record in the Big East conference, sitting them 3rd-to-last in the standings.