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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — As the 2026-27 men's basketball season approaches, Illinois fans are eagerly anticipating the debut of freshman guard Quentin Coleman. The five-star prospect, who committed to the Illini in April after initially pledging to Wake Forest, sat down with WCIA for an exclusive interview.
Coleman admitted to feeling a mix of emotions as he prepares for his first college season. "I'm honestly nervous, and I'm also excited," he told WCIA. "Walking out there on the first game and seeing all the fans, getting on the court and just playing for Illinois - I could honestly shed a tear." Despite the high expectations surrounding him and the team, Coleman is staying present and focused.
With Keaton Wagler having set the program's freshman scoring record and becoming an NBA lottery pick, Coleman is seen as the next potential star freshman. However, he understands he doesn't need to replicate Wagler's success or carry the load alone. "I get all the comparisons all the time," Coleman said. "What [Keaton Wagler] did was incredible. But I just feel like this team is different. We have so many pieces to the point where I don't have to be like that. It's just a great environment to be in, and a great team to be on, to the point where I honestly just come in and fit into the role that I need to be in."
At 6-foot-4, Coleman might surprise some with his rebounding ability. He emphasized his desire to contribute in ways that don't always show up in the box score. "I just want to do the little things that other people are not doing," he said. "I want to do the little things that are going to impact winning and get us back to where we want to be at."
For a similar one-on-one interview with Illini sophomore forward David Mirkovic, click here. For more Illini sports stories, click here.
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Originally reported by yahoo.