Brandon Lee joins the Fighting Illini 2025 class

CHAMPAIGN — The Fighting Illini secured a major piece of their 2025 basketball recruiting class on Monday with the signing of 6-foot-4 shooting guard Brandon Lee, head coach Brad Underwood announced. Lee, the son of Puerto Rican basketball icon Butch Lee, joins Illinois as a dynamic scorer with international and elite AAU experience.

Born in Puerto Rico and currently playing at The Patrick School in Hillside, New Jersey, Lee brings a multifaceted offensive game to Champaign. Ranked No. 98 in the 2025 class by 247Sports, he has proven himself as a three-level scorer with the ability to dominate high-stakes competition.

"Brandon is a gifted scorer and an aggressive offensive player who can score at all three levels," Underwood said. "He has great physicality which allows him to score at the rim, get to the foul line, and he is a very capable shooter with range at the 3-point line."

Lee’s pedigree extends far beyond his own burgeoning résumé. His father, Butch Lee, was a trailblazer as the first Puerto Rican to play in the NBA. The elder Lee made history at Marquette University, where he earned the Naismith College Player of the Year award in 1978 before being selected 10th overall in the NBA Draft. That legacy is part of what has shaped Brandon’s basketball journey, which has included starring for Puerto Rico in international tournaments and excelling in top-tier AAU circuits.

On the Nike EYBL circuit with the New York Rens, Lee emerged as one of the top young players in the country. Averaging 23 points per game, he finished as the third-leading scorer and earned the Breakout MVP award for the 17U division at The Circuit. At the prestigious Peach Jam, he further impressed, posting 18.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.

Lee’s skills shone on the international stage this summer at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup, where he led Puerto Rico in scoring with 13.3 points per game, including a standout 22-point performance against Team USA in the quarterfinals.

"He has faced high-level competition throughout high school and AAU, and he has FIBA experience as well with Puerto Rico," Underwood added. "Brandon comes from a basketball family, so it's no surprise he is a high IQ player who has been well-coached throughout his career. We're excited to officially welcome him to the Fighting Illini family."

Illinois’ recruiting momentum has been significant, as Lee becomes the fourth guard to join Underwood’s 2025 class. He chose Illinois over offers from Rutgers, Mississippi State, Seton Hall, and several other programs, signaling the strength of the program’s appeal. Lee joins recent commit Keaton Wagler as part of a backcourt poised to keep the Illini competitive in the Big Ten for years to come.

With his blend of experience, scoring versatility, and NBA bloodlines, Lee is poised to make a significant impact at State Farm Center.

---

---

Keywords: Brandon Lee Illinois basketball, Fighting Illini 2025 recruiting class, Puerto Rican basketball stars, Brad Underwood Illinois signing, Illini Basketball