CHAMPAIGN — Jake Davis offered a unique viewpoint on the Illinois men’s basketball team as its roster transformed this offseason.
Davis committed to the Illini on April 1, unaware of how his new team would shape up in the weeks and months leading to the 2024-25 season. His decision marked the first step in a significant roster renovation, coinciding with Dain Dainja entering the transfer portal the same day. Five other teammates from the Illini’s Elite Eight squad soon followed suit.
This situation prompted Illinois coach Brad Underwood to initiate a near-total roster overhaul.
Davis was the first of five transfers to join Illinois. By the end of April, the team also welcomed Tre White (Southern California/Louisville), Kylan Boswell (Arizona), Carey Booth (Notre Dame), and Ben Humrichous (Evansville). In May and June, they added three freshmen — Tomislav Ivisic, Kasparas Jakucionis, and Will Riley — along with early signees Morez Johnson Jr. and Jason Jakstys.
“For me, it was super fun,” Davis said to The News-Gazette about witnessing the roster changes over three months. “I saw a lot of players I recognized from across the country come together. You could really see everything coming together and the type of team we’re forming.”
Despite some uncertainties, Davis praised the coaching staff for effectively assembling a competitive team with good depth for the upcoming season.
Initially, Davis didn’t plan on leaving Mercer after his freshman year. The McCordsville, Ind., native aimed to contribute without being a liability for the Southern Conference team. However, two factors changed his outlook.
First, he proved to be far from a weak link, averaging nine points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 39% from three-point range. Yet, despite his improvement, the Bears ended the season with a 16-17 record and an eighth-place finish in the SoCon. The firing of head coach Greg Gary shifted Davis’s decision-making.
“My goal has always been to play at the highest level,” Davis explained. “I wasn’t thinking about leaving until the end of the year when things weren’t going well and there were whispers about the coach’s job.
“I really liked the coaches there, and it was disappointing we didn’t succeed. I’m thankful for the experience because it led me here, but I’m excited to be with Illinois.”
After entering the transfer portal, Davis was approached by several mid-major and low-major teams. Illinois was the first power-conference school to show interest, though their discussions were brief during the NCAA tournament.
Once Illinois’s season ended in the Elite Eight, their pursuit of Davis intensified. After losing to national champions Connecticut on March 30, he quickly committed to Illinois just two days later, realizing the school checked many boxes as a nearby Big Ten program emerging as a top contender.
“Everyone freaked out when I told my family,” Davis recalled. “My mom cried, and my dad was so proud. It was a wonderful moment, even just receiving their call.”
Having grown up watching Big Ten basketball, Davis felt it was a significant milestone to join the program, marking a personal achievement even as he aims for more.
Davis fit several criteria Illinois sought. His status as Mercer’s top three-point shooter appealed to Underwood, who intended to emphasize outside shooting this season. Additionally, his background at Indianapolis Cathedral, where he won a state championship and set a career record for charges taken in Indiana high school basketball, showcased his winning mentality.
“That’s a valuable characteristic, indicating he’ll do whatever it takes to win,” Underwood noted. “With his shooting ability, it’s reassuring to know we have someone who will sacrifice for the team.”
Underwood emphasized the importance of shooting as a priority in rebuilding the roster. “He is a shooter who can shoot off the move,” Underwood said of Davis. “He has the potential to excel in the way we want to play, and with three years ahead, I’m really excited about what he brings.”
Davis’s role for Illinois this season is still to be determined, but he recognizes the wealth of talent on the team. This became evident during summer workouts, despite not all players being present simultaneously.
“It’s definitely different from Mercer,” Davis noted. “At Mercer, I was one of the go-to guys towards the end of the season. Here, it’s fun because everyone contributes and excels in their roles. Personally, I don’t mind not being the focal point. I just want to see wins. Even if we go undefeated and I play zero minutes, I’d be happy.
“I’ve always embraced being a role player, focusing on contributing in any way I can and doing the little things to help the team.”
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