{"id":885204,"date":"2026-10-17T06:06:10","date_gmt":"2026-10-17T06:06:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/885204\/"},"modified":"2026-10-17T06:06:10","modified_gmt":"2026-10-17T06:06:10","slug":"illinois-basketballs-david-mirkovic-lands-in-first-round-of-2027-nba-mock-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/885204\/","title":{"rendered":"Illinois Basketball’s David Mirkovic Lands in First Round of 2027 NBA Mock Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

You’ve heard of offseason whispers. What you hear less often are offseason shouts. David Mirkovic\u2019s 2026 summer and fall have been characterized by high-volume chatter, and not even a foot fracture that required surgery and extensive (and ongoing) recovery have quieted the excitement. Coaches, teammates and analysts<\/a> have all \u2013 and almost exclusively \u2013 had only great things to say about Mirkovic and his future.<\/p>\n

NBA Draft analyst Sam Vecenie high on David Mirkovic\u2019s 2026-27 season<\/p>\n

Illinois\u2019 coaches have sung Mirkovic\u2019s praises with such vigor<\/a> that NBA Draft expert Sam Vecenie\u2019s impression is that Mirkovic \u201cis as good as any player\u201d the Illini have had during Brad Underwood’s tenure in Champaign. Mind you, this is a program that has been loaded with stars: Ayo Dosunmu, Kofi Cockburn, Terrence Shannon Jr., Keaton Wagler and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But does Mirkovic\u2019s injury<\/a> change things? Well, for Vecenie, it does \u2013 but only a little. Vecenie said that Mirkovic would likely have been his pick for Preseason Player of the Year (not just in the Big Ten, but across the country), but now he sees him instead as a projected All-American \u2013 oh, and also as a first-round pick in the 2027 NBA Draft.<\/p>\n

Two Illini land in the first round of Sam Vecenie\u2019s 2027 NBA mock draft<\/p>\n

In Vecenie\u2019s mock draft, Mirkovic comes off the board at No. 16 to the Indiana Pacers. Freshman guard Quentin Coleman<\/a> lasts until just No. 7 (Atlanta Hawks).<\/p>\n

Is Sam Vecenie\u2019s NBA Draft projection for David Mirkovic overambitious?\"David<\/p>\n

Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) reacts as he is introduced during practice ahead of a Final Four game on Friday, April 3, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Even in light of the injury, all signs point to Mirkovic being even better this season than he was as a freshman, when he averaged 13.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists in under 30 minutes a game. But No. 16? The primary concern is Mirkovic\u2019s athleticism. Vertically and laterally, Mirkovic checks in below NBA standards.<\/p>\n

So what exactly does that mean in terms of his projection? Well, defense is going to be the first problem. Who will Mirkovic check at the next level? At 6-foot-9, he isn\u2019t quite tall enough to handle NBA 5s. And the vast majority of 4s in the league are too athletic for Mirkovic to stay in front of.<\/p>\n

On the flip side, Mirkovic has the strength of an ox, plus length and elite anticipation, and he plays really hard. So he can survive against most undersized 5s. And he\u2019ll be able to maybe hold up against 4s who aren\u2019t elite shooters or cutters.<\/p>\n

Offensively, the potential problems are his first step and his at-the-rim finishing. Two questions: 1) Can he consistently beat defenders off the dribble? And 2) will his finishing package translate to the NBA?<\/p>\n

\"David<\/p>\n

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) is fouled by Connecticut Huskies guard Silas Demary Jr. (2) in the second half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Mirkovic is just quick enough to get a step at the college level. Then he uses his frame to press that opening and get to the rack. The initial angle will be tougher to come by against NBA-level athletes.<\/p>\n

His finishing ability may be more concerning, though. Mirkovic has a soft touch and a surprisingly deep finishing package. But everything starts with him creating space and finding an angle. Will his patience, savvy and physicality be enough to generate those looks? We certainly can trust that his athleticism won\u2019t buy him any freebies.<\/p>\n

But there\u2019s also this: Mirkovic is 6-foot-9 and shot 37.5 percent from three as a freshman. He is an elite playmaker from the post, mid-post and perimeter. He is one of the best rebounders in college basketball (despite his lack of vertical explosion).<\/p>\n

NBA front offices have come to value results. The days of routinely taking flyers on high-upside players with elite athleticism and unpolished games are gone. If Mirkovic leads Illinois on a successful campaign, his shooting efficiency holds and he becomes even just a touch lighter on his feet, then he\u2019ll be worthy of a first-round draft pick.<\/p>\n

His positional size, shooting, playmaking, basketball IQ and unquantifiable feel for the game is far too rich a blend to be overlooked. Still, none of that answers the very real athleticism question marks. Because of that, it still may be hard for him to crack the top 20 even in a wide-open draft class \u2013 though Vecenie already seems convinced.<\/p>\n

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