Report: Illinois adds top transfer guard Stefan Vaaks

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 19: Stefan Vaaks #7 of the Providence Friars dribbles the ball against Tre Norman #5 of the Marquette Golden Eagles during overtime at Fiserv Forum on January 19, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

And we’re off.

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Illinois’ offseason in the transfer portal started with a bang on Sunday afternoon when the Illini got a commitment from Providence guard Stefan Vaaks, according to multiple outlets.

NEWS: Providence transfer guard Stefan Vaaks has committed to Illinois, source told @On3.

The 6-7 freshman averaged 15.8 points per game this season. Earned Big East All-Freshman Team honors.https://t.co/P2CLLLO2iqpic.twitter.com/vu0lhCv9EE

— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) April 12, 2026

According to 247Sports, Vaaks is the 13th-best player in the portal.

A native of Estonia, Vaaks is 6-foot-7 and 205 pounds. He earned All-Freshman Team honors in the Big East last season as he averaged 15.8 points and 3.2 assists per game.

One would hope that Illinois doesn’t have a ton of holes to fill on the roster this offseason, but a high-volume scoring guard is certainly one with Keaton Wagler already announcing his plans to declare for the NBA Draft.

Is John Blackwell next for the Illini? That’d be quite the haul, especially if Brad Underwood retains much of his Final Four core.

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