CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Brad Underwood announced Friday that Stefan Vaaks has signed a Big Ten Athletics Aid Agreement with the University of Illinois and will join the Illinois Fighting Illini men’s basketball as a transfer.
Vaaks, a 6-foot-7, 215-pound guard from Tabasalu, Estonia, arrives as a sophomore following an impressive freshman campaign with Providence Friars men’s basketball.
He earned Big East All-Freshman Team honors after finishing third on the team and seventh in the conference in scoring at 15.8 points per game. Vaaks set a Providence freshman scoring record with 491 total points, reaching double figures in 29 of 31 games and posting 10 outings of 20 or more points, including a career-high 28 against Butler Bulldogs men’s basketball in the Big East Tournament.
Much of his offense came from beyond the arc, where he led the conference with 91 made three-pointers (2.9 per game), shooting a league-best 35%. That total ranks fourth in Providence history. He hit at least three threes in 18 games, highlighted by eight triples in a 30-point performance against Butler in the conference tournament.
Vaaks also led the Friars in assists at 3.2 per game, including a 10-assist outing to record his first career double-double (10 points, 10 assists) against Fairleigh Dickinson Knights men’s basketball. He added efficiency at the line, ranking fifth in the Big East at 83.9%.
“Stefan had a very impactful freshman year at Providence, showing his versatility as both a scorer and playmaker,” Underwood said. “He’s an elite three-point shooter with deep range and an excellent passer who sees the floor well. We believe we’ve added one of the top offensive players in the portal who will complement our returning players and incoming class.”
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