Greg Gard, Wisconsin basketball may have lost big-time recruit due to immigration blunder

The college basketball landscape has been ever-changing in recent years, with the transfer portal and NIL staples of the offseason. The next frontier appears to be overseas, or more specifically, Europe.

On Wednesday, Illinois secured a commitment from Serbian guard Mihailo Petrovic, who plays for Serbian club Mega Superbet, who compete in the Adriatic Basketball Association (ABA). However, just hours before his commitment, Petrovic seemed poised to be headed to a different Big Ten program.

Petrovic is expected to be a day-one contributor for Illinois. The Serbian point guard is an MVP candidate in the Adriatic League, and ranks second in assists with 7.3 per game and top-10 in scoring with 14.3 per game.

Dillon Graff of BadgerNotes.com reported that Petrovic was verbally committed to play for Greg Gard next year, but that there was a big issue that prevented an easy commitment to play ball in Madison, Wisconsin.

"Both have been in touch with the coaching staff—and both are in wait-and-see mode. The holdup? Visa clearance," Graff said. "A BadgerNotes correspondent at Buckys Burrow reported that immigration logistics have delayed any potential move to Madison, which Petrovic shared when asked where things stand with Wisconsin."

“The plan is for me to come to the University of Wisconsin,” Petrovic said. “Right now I don’t have any sure information, but I think and hope that I will become a part of the Badgers family.”

Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp

While the Serbian star seemed destined to play for the Badgers, another Big Ten powerhouse swooped in and flipped his commitment: Illinois. The Illini are constructing a global roster this offseason, with players from Croatia, Montenegro, and now Serbia lining their projected starting five. They're also in the mix to land California transfer Andrej Stojakovic.

Badger of Honor's Mark Knight said that the Illini provide more minutes, despite Gard having to replace 11 players from last year's squad.

"Illinois was able to swoop in and get Petrovic to become a Fighting Illini with a better immediate opportunity at point guard and potentially even more money," Knight said. "Though that latter statement is more guess than anything."

MORE:

• Eric Musselman, USC basketball's eye-watering payout for transfer guard Rodney Rice revealed
• Mid-major punished heavily due to recruiting infractions committed by former basketball head coach
• Ace Bailey declares for the NBA Draft: Taking stock of the Rutgers star's pro potential