Stefan Vaaks, a 6-foot-7 sophomore guard who moved from Providence to Illinois, starts the 2026-27 season as a key offensive asset for the Illini. Hailing from Tabasalu, Estonia, Vaaks offers a rare mix of international experience and collegiate refinement in Champaign, where he’ll don No. 7 under coach Brad Underwood.
Offensive Skills and Scoring Range
Vaaks pairs his impressive height for a guard with a fluid shooting touch and the boldness to launch from nearly any spot on the court. He’s especially dangerous from deep, whether catching and shooting or creating space off the dribble. Grant him even a sliver of space, and he’ll punish the defense.
He’s far more than a three-point threat, though. Vaaks is a skilled ball-handler who varies his pace effectively and leverages his height to outmaneuver smaller defenders. He can drive to the rim, finish near the basket, and locate open teammates when defenders collapse. While not the most explosive athlete, his game sense, timing, and diverse abilities make him tough to defend.
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Defensive and Rebounding Challenges
His defense and rebounding need refinement. Vaaks often struggles to keep up with faster guards, and his defensive consistency must improve in the Big Ten. At Providence, he averaged just 2.5 rebounds per game, a lackluster number for someone of his stature.
Underwood expects guards to contribute on the boards, so Vaaks must become more physical and engaged off the ball. His ability to earn steady trust hinges on adapting to the Big Ten’s physical and mental demands on defense.
Estonian Background and Transfer Impact
Before coming to the U.S., Vaaks played professionally in Estonia with KK Viimsi and BC Kalev/Cramo. Facing older, tougher opponents prepared him for college basketball, and he arrived at Providence with a refined offensive game.
As a freshman in 2025-26, Vaaks quickly emerged as one of the Friars’ top performers. He averaged 15.8 points and 3.2 assists while shooting 35 percent from three-point range. His 91 made threes led the Big East, earning him a spot on the conference’s All-Freshman team. After the season, he entered the transfer portal and chose Illinois.
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Initial Impressions and Prospects
Following the Illini’s exhibition win over UIC, Underwood commended Vaaks for making “some of the winningest plays that we’ve always done here and maybe we haven’t done, getting on the floor for loose balls and understanding what a win looks like – and it’s not just scoring points.”
Vaaks is poised to become a primary offensive threat for Illinois. His outside shooting will stretch defenses, while his playmaking adds another dimension to the Illini’s attack. On a roster rich with scoring talent, he won’t need to force shots to make an impact. The greater challenge will come when he’s off the ball.
If he can hold his own defensively and improve his rebounding, he has the potential to be one of the Big Ten’s top guards. If not, his offensive prowess may come with occasional drawbacks.