Stefan Vaaks looked his former coach’s doubts in the eye and laughed, declaring “I don’t regret” his move to Illinois. That’s the vibe coming out of Champaign, folks, as fall camp is right around the corner for an Illini squad with serious Final Four and national championship dreams. You love to see it, a player with that kind of fire, especially when he’s expected to be a huge piece of the puzzle.
Vaaks’ Big East Numbers and a Mic Drop Moment
Let’s talk about Stefan Vaaks for a minute. This dude, a 6-foot-7, 205-pound guard/forward from Estonia, absolutely balled out as a freshman in the Big East for Providence. He dropped 15.8 points per game and shot a respectable 35% from three-point range. Not too shabby, right? But he saw the bigger picture, bolted from Rhode Island for what’s clearly one of the nation’s best programs, the Fighting Illini. His former coach, Kim English, apparently got in his ear, telling him he’d regret the move. Fast forward to the Illinois Basketball Tip-Off Classic on Wednesday, surrounded by his new teammates, with freshman sensation Quentin Coleman clapping it up for him, Vaaks got to the mic. And what did he say? He simply stated, “I don’t regret.” Talk about a statement! It’s even funnier when you consider English was replaced by Bryan Hodgson after back-to-back losing seasons. Meanwhile, Vaaks is practicing with a team that has serious hardware aspirations.
Illinois is Built Different, and Vaaks Fits Right In
Coach Underwood, a guy with a Final Four appearance under his belt in 2025-26, clearly knows what he’s doing, and Vaaks is a prime example of his vision. Vaaks is projected to start, which is wild considering he’ll likely be one of the Big Ten’s youngest starters. But he seems ready for the challenge, embracing Underwood’s ‘positionless basketball’ approach. Picture this: Vaaks and five-star freshman Coleman in the backcourt, alongside versatile playmakers like Andrej Stojakovic, and big scoring forward David Mirkovic. Vaaks averaged 3.2 assists last season, a number that could nearly double with the talent around him. This roster is stacked with guys who can pass, shoot, and handle the ball, giving Underwood all the flexibility he needs.
This isn’t just about Vaaks proving a coach wrong; it’s about him delivering on the massive potential Illinois sees in him. Expect a huge season from this Providence transfer. He feels secure he made the right choice, and you can bet he’s ready to prove it on the court. Illinois’ journey to a potential national championship starts now, and Vaaks is fired up to lead the charge.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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