CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Head coach Brad Dancer has announced the additions of David Bakonyi and Adam Jilly to the Fighting Illini men’s tennis team’s 2025 signing class.
Hailing from Hungary, Bakonyi and Jilly have already competed together in doubles play on the junior circuit and will join the Orange and Blue ahead of the fall 2025 semester after signing Big Ten Athletics Scholarship Agreements.
“We are super excited to bring in two immensely talented players to join our squad in the fall,” Dancer said. “Their enthusiasm, athleticism, and competitive spirit make them a perfect fit for our program. They both come from great families and bring great character. We can’t wait to work with them and help unlock their ambition and potential.”
DAVID BAKONYI // TELKI, HUNGARY // LAUDER JAVNE SCHOOL
A native of Telki, Pest, Hungary, Bakonyi has collected three singles and 13 doubles ITF junior titles, including three junior doubles triumphs in Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia while playing alongside Jilly.
Holding a career-high ITF junior singles ranking of 182, Bakonyi has climbed as high as 1694 in the ATP doubles rankings despite turning 18 in late July.
Bakonyi plans to major in economics at Illinois.
“I didn’t have the chance to go on a visit before making my decision, but I felt like the coaches and the team at Illinois would be a great fit for me,” Bakonyi said. “When I went on a visit after committing, I was even more sure that I made the right decision.”
ADAM JILLY // BUDAPEST, HUNGARY // BUDAI NAGY ANTAL HIGH SCHOOL
Jilly joins the Illini from Budapest, Hungary, and has totaled four ITF junior singles and nine ITF junior doubles titles, which includes his three national doubles titles while playing with Bakonyi. Ranking as high as 111 in the ITF junior singles rankings, he has also reached a career-high mark of 1368 in the ATP singles rankings and 1686 in the ATP doubles rankings.
Named the sportsman of the year at Budai Nagy Antal High School in 2024, Jilly brings a wealth of experience to the Orange and Blue with 126 ITF junior singles matches, 115 ITF junior doubles matches, and 12 ATP doubles matches played before the age of 18.
Jilly plans to major in business at Illinois.
“I really wanted to join a competitive tennis program with very good academics, and I think Illinois makes all of this possible for…
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