CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – Ben Humrichous likely didn’t originally anticipate playing two years for Illinois.

When he joined the Illini in 2024, Humrichous technically had only one year of eligibility left. However, a ruling was passed allowing players who utilized their eligibility in non-NCAA competitions to apply for a waiver to receive an additional year.

Humrichous, a 6-foot-9 forward, started his career at the NAIA level. He played three seasons at Huntington University in Indiana before spending a year with Evansville. The 2024-25 season was his first in orange and blue, but it wasn’t his last.

Humrichous got the extra year approved and will stay in Champaign for the 2025-26 season.

“I had a great first year,” Humrichous said regarding his decision to remain at Illinois. “I’m surrounded by amazing people, incredible players, and a dedicated coaching staff. Once I learned that I could get my extra year, it simply came down to deciding whether I wanted to go professional or continue playing in college—and I instantly knew I wanted another go at it.”

He will have a handful of new teammates in round two with the Illini. Illinois brings in two transfers and five freshmen. Included in the newcomers are a handful of players with European backgrounds. Humrichous looks forward to getting to learn more about his international teammates, as he did in 2024-25 with Kasparas Jakucionis, Will Riley and Tomislav Ivisic.

“I think it’s a joy,” Humrichous said of playing with guys from all around the globe. “It’s a fun thing, that’s a great thing about college basketball is each of my years I’ve been surrounded by different people, different cultures and stuff like that. So, it’s a joy to get to learn – to be able to learn different cultures but also just to learn the game of basketball through the lens of different people… I’m incredible excited for them to get to campus. We’ve got, from what I know, a really hard working group that’s coming in – a bunch of guys that just love the game of basketball.”

Humrichous averaged 7.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game for Illinois. 2025-26 will be his sixth and final season of college basketball.