Toni Bilic Enters Transfer Portal: What It Means for Illinois
Illinois basketball saw another offseason shakeup Saturday, as forward Toni Bilic entered the transfer portal shortly after Mihailo Petrovic made the same move. According to Jeff Borzello, Bilic—who joined the Illini midseason but never appeared in a game—will move on after previously playing three professional seasons in Croatia.
The roster turnover continues to build for head coach Brad Underwood. With Kylan Boswell and Ben Humrichous out of eligibility, and Keaton Wagler expected to pursue the NBA Draft, Illinois now has another opening to fill before the portal window closes on April 21.
Bilic never established a role on the court, so his departure doesn’t immediately impact the projected lineup. Still, it carries weight. He represented the type of long-term, high-upside prospect Illinois has prioritized—versatile, skilled, and seen as a developmental piece for the future.
The Downside
The biggest drawback is losing a potential asset before it had time to develop. Bilic wasn’t expected to contribute right away, but rather grow into a role over time. His early exit means the program loses that investment without ever seeing a return, underscoring the risk that comes with recruiting developmental players.
The Upside
On the other hand, his departure opens up another scholarship—valuable flexibility during portal season. Illinois remains an appealing destination, coming off a Final Four run and offering immediate playing opportunities. That combination makes it easier to attract impact transfers.
Given the program’s past portal success with players like Terrence Shannon Jr., Marcus Domask, and Andrej Stojakovic, there’s reason to believe they can turn this roster change into another key addition.
In the end, while Bilic’s departure is a loss in terms of potential, it also creates an opportunity. Now the focus shifts to how Illinois uses that opening to strengthen the roster moving forward.
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