In a column for news-gazette.com, Illini beat writer Scott Richey reported that European prospect Ignas Stombergas has narrowed his college choices to Illinois and Arizona following an official visit to Champaign.
Illinois assistant coach Geoff Alexander spent several weeks in Europe this summer evaluating prospects at FIBA events, leading to an extended trip in early September to secure face time with Stombergas. The 6-foot-9 forward ranked eighth in scoring, fourth in rebounding, and second in blocked shots at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket in Trento, Italy, averaging 16.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game.
During his trip to Illinois this week, Stombergas watched the Illini beat Penn on Thursday night and attended the football game Friday at Gies Memorial Stadium. I saw the facilities and everything, and they looked amazing,
Stombergas said.
The Illini staff and players teamed up to recruit the 18-year-old Lithuanian, with David Mirkovic serving as the primary player recruiter. Stombergas also spoke with former Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis, who earned All-Big Ten Freshman Team honors before becoming a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
(Jakucionis) told me about Illinois,
Stombergas said. A lot of great things. He liked it here, and he believed I would like it, too.
Stombergas currently plays in the Zalgiris Kaunas system, appearing on the primary roster this season after playing for the second team last year. In two appearances with the secondary squad this season, he averaged 18 points, 12.5 rebounds, and five blocks.
His recruitment is down to Illinois and Tommy Lloyd’s Arizona Wildcats, a program that features Lithuanian players Motiejus Krivas and Ugnius Jarusevicius. I believe I’ll make my decision in the coming month or two,
Stombergas said.
