As college basketball practices have officially started throughout the country, this much we know to be true: The transfer portal wreaks havoc on college basketball rosters.
The majority of rosters now evolve every year, from a simple to more complex form by blending a few holdovers with newcomers from the portal and a small sprinkling of fresh-faced freshmen.
Whether it be through the transfer portal or traditional recruiting of freshmen or current committed prospects, the in-state programs continue to utilize the ties they have to Illinois high school prospects.
Here are several Illinois Division I college basketball programs around the area and a look at one local player that figures to impact the program the most this coming season.
Northwestern
The local: Nick Martinelli, Glenbrook South
There is no local program receiving bigger production from any in-state player than Northwestern is with Martinelli.
The 6-7 forward exploded last season as a junior. The All-Big Ten second-team selection is one of the nation’s leading returning scorers this season after averaging a whopping 20.5 points a game to go with 6.2 rebounds.
Loyola
The local: Miles Rubin, Simeon
Coach Drew Valentine added former Young star Xavier Amos, who played last season at Wisconsin, from the portal this past spring. But the backbone of this year’s team is Rubin, the 6-10 junior big man who is already a two-time Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team selection in his two seasons.
Rubin averaged 9.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks a game last season as a sophomore. Those numbers will surely rise as the Ramblers figure to challenge for one of the top spots in the A-10.
DePaul
The local: Mason Lockett, Oswego East (Class of 2026 commitment)
There is an in-state prospect on the current roster in NJ Benson from downstate Mount Vernon, who will figure prominently again this season for the Blue Demons. But the recent commitment of Lockett, the No. 3 ranked prospect in the state in the Class of 2026, is a boon for the program.
The 6-5 point guard will provide a high-upside local flavor when he arrives on campus next season.
UIC
The local: Ahmad Henderson, Brother Rice
The 5-9 guard was a spark for first-year coach Rob Ehsan last season after transferring in from Niagara. He put up 11.5 points, 2.6 assists and over a steal a game over the course of his sophomore season. He will be a catalyst for the Flames this winter.
Illinois
The local: Jason Jakstys, Yorkville
With no definitive return date for former Thornton star Ty Rodgers, who is out indefinitely with a knee injury, the next local player with a chance to impact for the Illini is the 6-10 Jakstys.
A developmental project since his arrival last year when he redshirted, Jakstys has gained a considerable amount of weight and strength. But it remains to be seen if Jakstys can play himself into the rotation this season as a redshirt freshman.
Northern Illinois
The local: Gianni Cobb, Homewood-Flossmoor
Coach Rashon Burno hopes Cobb’s winning ways — the 6-0 sophomore point guard helped lead Homewood-Flossmoor to a state championship in 2024 — will translate to DeKalb.
Cobb left Columbia after one season and returned home, transferring to NIU after playing 12 minutes and averaging 4.3 points a game for the Ivy League program.