The recruitment journey is intensifying for Benet’s standout, Edvardas Stasys. Standing tall at 6-foot-8, the senior forward has recently received a scholarship offer from Illinois, marking his first from a Big Ten conference school.
Stasys expresses his gratitude, “I’m super grateful for it, for sure. I’m definitely grateful for the Illini staff. It’s definitely an opportunity of a lifetime.” However, he is in no rush to make a decision, stating, “I’m not making any decisions until probably a few months. I’m going to go out and visit some schools, and then I’ll plan on making my decision.”
With plans to potentially major in finance or business, Stasys aims to evaluate his options thoroughly before narrowing down a growing field of interested programs. Among those expressing interest in him are Illinois State, Northern Illinois, Belmont, Central Michigan, Harvard, Holy Cross, Robert Morris, Western Michigan, and Yale.
The inclusion of Illinois in his options has generated additional excitement; the team reached the Final Four earlier this year under coach Brad Underwood. The Illini roster already features sophomore point guard Blake Fagbemi, a former teammate of Stasys, who contributed to Benet’s first Class 4A state championship in 2025.
Illinois has actively targeted talent from Chicago’s western suburbs, including the Naperville area. Holding a commitment from Neuqua Valley senior guard Mason Martin, Illinois also has eyes on Martin’s teammate, Cole Kelly, a junior forward.
“I think it’s great for all those individuals,” remarks Benet coach Gene Heidkamp. “Illinois is a great program. They have one of our players in the program right now. It’s great to see them doing so well and recruiting kids in the western suburbs.”
For Stasys, the offer from Illinois highlights his progress. Heidkamp notes, “I’m happy for him. He’s starting to see all his hard work with all the attention he’s been paid by multiple schools. There’s a long way to go in his process. But to be offered by a school in the Big Ten is certainly a huge deal.”
Stasys is expected to be a pivotal player for Benet’s Redwings next season. With the graduation of previous stars Jayden Wright and Colin Stack, Stasys, a third-year varsity player, will take center stage. Last season, he received All-State third-team honors, with an average of 12.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game as a junior.
Stasys previously served as a reserve during Benet’s state championship win as a sophomore and adopted a larger role last season as the team reached the championship game again, losing to Marist. With more responsibility on his shoulders, Stasys will chiefly contribute offensively. Coach Heidkamp comments, “He’ll play wherever we can take advantage of his abilities. He can handle the ball, play in the post, slash, and rebound offensively. He runs the floor well in transition, so we’re not necessarily going to pigeonhole him in any position.”
In a nonconference match in December 2025, Stasys demonstrated his skills against Lake Forest, showcasing his versatile play. Ready for what lies ahead, Stasys is dedicated to sharpening his offensive capabilities. “Shooting the ball is definitely an emphasis,” he says. “Playmaking, I think I’ve gotten a lot better with that, and just overall confidence having the ball in my hands more.”
Reflecting on his evolving role from his sophomore year, Stasys aims to keep improving. “Sophomore year, I didn’t have the ball in my hands much. I was more of a rebounding and defensive player, and as the years have progressed, my role also gets bigger.” Nonetheless, his focus remains on team success. “We’re just trying to win the state championship,” he asserts.
Stasys balances versatility with targeted goals as Benet pursues championships. “Right now at Benet I’m playing center because I’m the biggest guy there,” he expands. “So I’ll play back to the basket. I’ll also face guard on the perimeter. Being a versatile player is what I’m aiming for.”
Additionally, Stasys has clear criteria for his recruitment journey. With connections to Illinois through Fagbemi and to Yale, where his sister Gabby plays volleyball, he has insights into programs offering both athletics and academics. Stasys highlights, “I look for a program with high-level basketball and a great community. I’m also looking for great player development with great guys around. Academics would be a bonus on top of all that.”