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As the Illinois Fighting Illini prepare for their regular-season opener on November 2 at State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois on SI is providing a scouting report for each player on the 2026-27 roster. Today's focus is guard Stefan Vaaks.
Vaaks, a 6-foot-7, 215-pound sophomore from Tabasalu, Estonia, previously played at Providence. He is an intriguing offensive talent with excellent size for a guard, a smooth shooting stroke, and the confidence to launch from anywhere on the court. He is especially dangerous from beyond the arc, whether spotting up off the ball or creating space off the dribble. Give him an inch, and he can make a defense pay.
But Vaaks is more than just a three-point specialist. He is a crafty ball-handler who changes speeds effectively and uses his size to see over smaller defenders. He can penetrate into the lane, finish around the basket, and find open teammates when help defenders collapse. Although he isn't the most explosive athlete, his feel for the game, timing, and diverse skill set make him a difficult player to contain.
However, his defense and rebounding remain works in progress. Vaaks can struggle to stay in front of quicker guards, and his overall defensive consistency will need to improve in the Big Ten. He also averaged just 2.5 rebounds per game at Providence, a disappointing figure for someone with his size. Illinois coach Brad Underwood expects his guards to contribute on the glass, and Vaaks will have to become more physical and engaged away from the ball.
Experience and Background
Before coming to the United States, Vaaks played professionally in Estonia with KK Viimsi and BC Kalev/Cramo. That experience against older, more physical competition helped prepare him for the college game, and he arrived at Providence with a polished offensive skill set.
As a freshman in 2025-26, Vaaks quickly became one of the Friars' most productive players. 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, and he earned a spot on the conference's All-Freshman team. Following the season, he entered the transfer portal and landed at Illinois.
What They're Saying
Illinois coach Brad Underwood on Vaaks after the Illini's exhibition win against UIC: "I thought Vaaks made 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."
2026-27 Expectations
Vaaks should have every opportunity to become one of Illinois' primary offensive weapons. His outside shooting will help stretch the floor, while his playmaking gives the Illini another option to initiate offense. On a roster loaded with scoring talent, he won't have to force shots to make an impact.
The bigger test will come when the ball isn't in his hands. Underwood's teams demand defensive effort and toughness on the boards, and those are the areas where Vaaks must improve to earn consistent trust. If he can hold his own defensively and become a more willing rebounder, he has the talent to be one of the Big Ten's most effective guards. If not, his offensive brilliance will come with an occasionally frustrating trade-off.