Illinois' Balkan Five nickname, explained: The story behind Fighting Illini's moniker for European group

Illinois' Balkan Five nickname, explained: The story behind Fighting Illini's moniker for European group originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .

Basketball is an increasingly globalized game, with courts littering landscapes far beyond the United States' borders.

From Rhode Island to Ramallah, the game has flourished, enchanting the masses with its masses under a soundscape of bouncing balls and squeaking sneakers.

Few college programs have embraced the international market quite like Illinois. The Illini boast a roster filled with players whose passports are from countries other than the U.S.

Illinois pursuit of foreign talent -- namely players hailing from the Balkans -- has aided its recent success. With Brad Underwood at the helm, things shouldn't change anytime soon.

With that, here's what you need to know about the Balkan Five, Illinois' talent-laden collection of Balkan ballers.

MARCH MADNESS HQ: Live NCAA bracket  |  TV schedule  |  Latest news and more

Illinois' Balkan Five nickname, explained

Known as the Balkan Five -- or the Balkan Bloc, depending on one's disposition -- the Illini's roster has a distinctly southeastern European flair. Underwood invested heavily into his lineup ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, seeking alternative routes in the hopes of pushing Illinois to its first Final Four in more than 20 years.

Underwood's travels took him to the Balkans, a culturally-rich and diverse region that sprawls across the Balkans Mountains. It has played a starring role on the hardwood. Numerous hardwood standouts have danced across the region in recent years, from Hall of Famers Drazen Petrovic, Sarunas Marciulionis and Toni Kukoc to modern-day standouts like Domantas Sabonis, Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic.

"The best players in the NBA are European players now," Underwood said ahead of the season . "We're following a trend, it's exciting for them to come here and play."

SN AWARDS:  All-America team  |  Boozer Player of the Year  |  Lloyd Coach of the Year 

Underwood's staff took note, landing the signatures of five Balkan-bred talents ahead of the 2025-26 season: twins Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic (Croatia); David Mirkovic (Montenegro); Andrej Stojakovic (Serbia, Greece); Mihailo Petrovic (Serbia). The Illini's Balkan bunch bear the scars of Jokic's influence in another way, too; four of the five -- Mirkovic, Petrovic and the Ivisic brothers -- are represented by the three-time MVP's agent, Misko Raznatovic.

All of Raznatovic's clients committed to join Illinois without visiting the school first. The Serbian mover-and-shaker first got into contact with the program through assistant Orlando Antigua, the former Kentucky and Arkansas assistant who helped bring Zvonimir Ivisic to the Wildcats in 2023.

When Antigua moved to the Razorbacks, Zvonimir followed. He opted to move to Illinois one year later. His twin brother soon joined him.

“In Europe young guys are not getting enough minutes to play, so it stalls their development,” Raznatovic told Front Office Sports . “When this opportunity showed up it was really something to be considered.”

MORE:  SN's greatest college basketball players from the all-time All-American team

Stojakovic, Mirkovic and the Ivisic twins have all played major minutes for Underwood this season, combining to account for more than 40 points and more than 20 rebounds per game between them. They'll get some reinforcements in the coming few seasons, too; Croatian Toni Bilic is redshirting after joining the program in December.

“Now Illinois is very popular,” Raznatovic said. “First because of the Final Four, second because of having so many players from the Balkan area. It makes for an easier adjustment."

Underwood was one of the first coaches to embrace the NCAA's decision to loosen its definition of amateurism. Whereas other programs set their sights on U.S. born players who turned out for teams in leagues like the G-League and Overtime Elite, Underwood looked abroad.

Now, he seems to be relishing his role as ambassador to Balkans basketball.

Illinois Balkan Five stats

The Balkan Bloc has enjoyed sterling success in their maiden year together. Four of the five have featured prominently in action this year, collecting at least 17.5 minutes.