Illinois has secured Mason Martin, the top-ranked shooting guard from Illinois’s Class of 2027, for its upcoming basketball season. The Fighting Illini announced the signing Thursday after Martin agreed to a Big Ten Athletics Aid Agreement.
Martin, a 6-foot-5-inch guard from Naperville, Illinois, attends Neuqua Valley High School where he plays under head coach Todd Sutton. He competes in AAU basketball with Breakaway Basketball on the Adidas 3SSB circuit, coached by Billy Jacklin. Rivals ranks Martin as the No. 118 player nationally, while 247Sports places him at No. 121. He is the highest-rated player in Illinois for the Class of 2027.
Last season, Martin earned second-team All-State honors from the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association. He contributed to Neuqua Valley’s school-record 32 wins in a 32-2 season that included a 29-game winning streak and a 4A regional championship. Martin averaged 19 points, 4.5 rebounds, and two assists per game. He made 117 three-pointers at a 44 percent clip and converted 93.5 percent of his free throws.
Martin’s standout performance came in the season opener on November 25, 2025. He scored 41 points with a program-record 11 three-pointers against West Aurora. That game remains a highlight of his high school career.
This spring and summer, Martin led the Adidas 3SSB circuit with 80 made three-pointers, shooting nearly 41 percent from beyond the arc. He averaged 16.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists for Breakaway Basketball.
Illinois head coach Brad Underwood praised the recruit’s shooting ability and basketball IQ. “We have added one of the best shooters in the country in the Class of 2027 in Mason Martin,” Underwood said. “He can really shoot it and fits our style of play as a high-IQ guard with the ability to process.”
Martin’s addition strengthens Illinois’s backcourt options as they prepare for the 2027-28 season. The Fighting Illini have a strong presence in Illinois basketball recruiting and securing the state’s top shooting guard underlines their continued appeal.
The announcement follows the earlier signing of golfer Arthur Haghedooren, another recruit from Illinois’s 2027 class. Haghedooren, a native of Melsbroek, Belgium, will join the men’s golf team next fall. He is ranked No. 1 in Belgium and No. 27 in the U18 European Golf Rankings. Illinois golf coach Mike Small noted Haghedooren’s steady growth and maturity.
For basketball, Martin’s commitment adds a player with proven shooting range and scoring ability. Illinois will look to integrate him into their system as they seek to compete in the Big Ten conference and beyond.
According to Yahoo Sports.
