Illinois’ David Mirkovic Earns AP Preseason All-America Selection

Illinois forward David Mirkovic has been selected to the Associated Press preseason All-America team, adding a national honor before his sophomore season. The university announced the selection Wednesday, listing Mirkovic with 24 votes on the five-player team.

The recognition follows a freshman season in which Mirkovic averaged 13.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists. Illinois lists him as third on the team in scoring and second in both rebounding and assists. That combination gives the preseason selection a basis beyond a single scoring average: his first college season included substantial work finishing possessions and helping teammates create offense.

Mirkovic also established the program's freshman total-rebounding record. His 297 rebounds exceeded the previous mark of 272 set by Kofi Cockburn in 2019–20. The record concerns a season total, which should be distinguished from a per-game average or an all-class Illinois record.

The AP selection is his second preseason All-America recognition, following a first-team selection by CBS Sports. He was also named to the preseason All-Big Ten team. Those honors describe expectations for the coming season; they do not constitute new regular-season results.

Illinois' announcement places Mirkovic alongside Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Jr., Florida's Thomas Haugh, Vanderbilt's Tyler Tanner and Arizona's Motiejus Krivas on the AP team. The university also notes Mirkovic's NCAA All-Region selection during Illinois' South Regional championship run last season.

The next opportunities to assess the Illini come in exhibitions. Illinois is scheduled to host Baylor on Friday, October 23, and UIC on Wednesday, October 28. Both games are listed for 7 p.m. Chicago time. Exhibition performances will provide new evidence about the team's rotation and Mirkovic's role, while the preseason honor establishes the level of attention accompanying his return.