CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — Illinois head coach Brad Underwood has added one of Wisconsin’s most decorated prep players to the Illini’s 2026 recruiting class.
Zavier Zens, a 6-foot-7, 215-pound forward from Milwaukee, signed a Big Ten Athletics Scholarship Agreement with Illinois on Friday. Zens was voted 2026 Mr. Basketball by the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association and earned Gatorade Wisconsin Player of the Year honors and third-team All-American recognition from MaxPreps.
Zens helped lead Wisconsin Lutheran High School to three consecutive state championships, compiling a combined 88-2 record over that stretch. As a senior, he averaged 23.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while shooting 62 percent from the field as the Vikings went a perfect 30-0 to claim their third straight title.
“Zavier first and foremost is a winner,” Underwood said. “He is an extremely high IQ player who has been well coached and brings a championship pedigree to the table. He fits our recruiting mold as a 6-foot-7 versatile wing who can score at all three levels and process the game.”
Zens also played alongside current NBA rookie Kon Knueppel on Wisconsin Lutheran’s undefeated 2024 Division 2 state title team as a sophomore.
He is the fourth member of Illinois’ 2026 signing class, joining Ethan Brown, Landon Davis, and Lucas Morillo.