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John Keller

@jc.keller

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Director of Video & Technology - Fighting Illini Men’s Basketball

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Bracketball 2026-27 Top 100 CBB Players

#22: Stefan Vaaks (Illinois, G | So.)

I apologize in advance for the lack of video for Vaaks. Not much out there that I can download and repost ethically.

Anywho:

Stefan Vaaks had some of the most ridiculous shot making in the entire country as just a freshman. On high volume — 14.8 3P/100 or more — he was the ONLY freshman in the COUNTRY to shoot 35% or better from deep. And, interestingly enough, if you widen that focus group to all classes (freshmen, sophomore, junior, senior), there were 35 players that met that criteria. To me, this just goes to show how advanced Vaaks’ shot making ability was.

Vaaks doesn’t just take spot up 3s either. He’s taking ridiculous OTD shots, on the run, fading — you name it. Dare I say, JR Smith-esque.

He also creates insanely well of the dribble/p&r. Not just for himself but for his teammates/rollers, too. The natural comparison, size/build-wise and movement-wise is Luka — just because that’s who people are familiar with — but the resemblance truly is there. The one thing he doesn’t do as frequently would be simply attacking the rim, which he still has the capability of doing.

He could use some work on the defensive end; he’s relatively slow-footed and ranked pretty poorly in the majority of defensive metrics — 12th %ile in both DRAPM and DWS/40. The one redeeming quality he has on defense is his length, which he needs to use to his advantage more.

The good HEAVILY outweighs the bad. He’s going to play, and fit, so insanely well in Underwood’s system.

Vaaks’ projected line for 2026-27:

17.1 PPG
2.7 RPG
4.0 APG

Projections powered by @CBBAnalytics

22 days until College Basketball.

Video Credits to @illiniisaac

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🐟🧬FROSH MULTI TUDDY NIGHT #ELGIN #WEEKTWO 9 carries, 125 yards/ 2 TDs, JC Keller (‘30) running back, Elgin Wildcats, District 12-5A D2, Region III

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