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Looking back, it is difficult to fathom that David Mirkovic was largely overlooked within Illinois' 2025 recruiting class. During a season when the Illini were expected to lean on veteran leadership, Mirkovic was initially slated to provide depth and developmental minutes. Instead, he became one of the team's most productive players and emerged as one of college basketball's biggest surprises.
Now, with a full season and an additional offseason of experience, Mirkovic is poised to operate at an even higher level with an expanded role. The question arises: Is he the best player at his position in the Big Ten? While he is almost certainly the premier returning power forward in the league, several heralded transfers could challenge him for that distinction.
Top Five Power Forwards in the Big Ten Entering 2026-27
No. 5: Caden Pierce, Purdue – As a sophomore, Pierce earned Ivy League Player of the Year honors by excelling in scoring, passing, rebounding, and defending. He averaged 16.6 points on a conference-best 54.6 percent shooting, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 2023-24. His numbers dipped to 11.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 2024-25, partly due to a serious ankle injury. After redshirting in 2025-26 and entering the transfer portal, Pierce landed at Purdue, where his high basketball IQ and versatile game—cutting, rim running, offensive rebounding, and occasional three-point shooting—make him an ideal fit for the Boilermakers.
No. 4: Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, Minnesota – Following Niko Medved from Colorado State to Minnesota, Crocker-Johnson averaged 13.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.0 blocks as a junior. He shot 32.3 percent from three-point range on 1.8 attempts per game. His ability to attack off the dribble, knock down catch-and-shoot threes, and produce inside, combined with defensive versatility and rebounding, makes him a key piece for a Minnesota squad aiming for its first NCAA Tournament appearance in eight years.
No. 3: J.P. Estrella, Michigan – In just 18.3 minutes per game for Tennessee in 2025-26, Estrella averaged 10.0 points and 5.4 rebounds (2.8 offensive). He will play a similar but larger role at Michigan, focusing on offensive rebounding, finishing plays, and posting up. Known as one of the nation's best offensive rebounders and a top-tier lob threat, Estrella also possesses soft touch around the rim with a smooth baby hook. While his three-point shooting is developing (4-for-10 last season), he is expected to dominate the interior as a glass cleaner and rim protector while scoring efficiently (60.8 percent career field goal percentage).
No. 2: Aiden Sherrell, Indiana – Sherrell may be the best two-way forward in the Big Ten next season. He averaged 2.2 blocks and 6.2 rebounds in just 23.9 minutes per game last year. Primarily a play finisher and lob threat on offense, he has shown flashes of a more diverse skill set, shooting 33.8 percent from deep on 0.8 makes per game and displaying the ability to put the ball on the floor or operate with his back to the basket. With an expected green light at Indiana, Sherrell could showcase expanded skills while providing elite interior defense and rebounding from day one.
No. 1: David Mirkovic, Illinois – Mirkovic's not-so-secret weapon is his versatility. He is a borderline elite three-point shooter (1.5 threes per game at 37.5 percent) and one of the Big Ten's best post-up players, using strength, footwork, and high IQ to score or find open teammates. He grabbed 8.0 rebounds per game last season and can even initiate offense as a point forward, operating as a ball-screen handler or screener. Despite relatively heavy feet, he is fairly versatile on defense. As a freshman, he accomplished all this, and with a slimmer, more athletic frame and added experience, he is expected to improve across the board in 2026-27, positioning himself as a Big Ten Player of the Year candidate and an All-American contender.