Five-Star 2028 Guard Brady Pettigrew Locks In Five Official Visits

One of the fastest-rising guards in the 2028 class is beginning to take a closer look at some of the programs prioritizing him.

Five-star Bolingbrook (Ill.) guard Brady Pettigrew has scheduled five official visits, with trips to Michigan, Florida, Illinois, Ohio State and Arkansas on the calendar. Pettigrew will begin the stretch at Michigan on Sept. 12 before heading to Florida on Sept. 25 and Illinois on Oct. 2. He will then visit Ohio State on Nov. 6 before opening the new year at Arkansas on Jan. 1.

Official Visit Schedule

• Michigan — Sept. 12

• Florida — Sept. 25

• Illinois — Oct. 2

• Ohio State — Nov. 6

• Arkansas — Jan. 1

Pettigrew's recruitment reached another level following a dominant spring and summer with Brad Beal Elite on the Nike EYBL circuit. Across 18 games at the 16U level, Pettigrew averaged 24.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.9 steals, finishing as the circuit's leading scorer among qualified players and earning the first-ever Nike EYBL 16U MVP award.

He was particularly impressive at Peach Jam, averaging 23.6 points and five rebounds while shooting 47.2 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from three. Pettigrew's combination of shot-making, strength and athleticism made him one of the event's biggest stock-risers and helped turn an already impressive recruitment into a national one.

Pettigrew is coming off a strong sophomore season at Bolingbrook as well. He averaged 21 points, five rebounds and three assists per game, helping lead the Raiders to 25 wins and an appearance in the sectional championship game.

While listed as a combo guard, Pettigrew's biggest weapon right now is his ability to score. He can create separation off the bounce, get downhill with explosiveness and strength, stop for pull-up jumpers and stretch defenses from well beyond the three-point line. His physical tools also allow him to finish through contact and defend multiple perimeter spots. As his playmaking and lead-guard skills continue to develop, Pettigrew has a chance to become one of the most complete guards in his class.

Breaking Down the Five Schools

Michigan — Sept. 12

Michigan gets the first official visit, giving the Wolverines an early opportunity to make an impression before Pettigrew moves through the rest of his schedule.

Michigan offered Pettigrew in July, making its move shortly after college coaches were able to increase their involvement with prospects in the 2028 cycle.

The Wolverines are an intriguing option because of the stage the program can offer an elite perimeter player. Pettigrew's ability to score both on and off the ball gives him the versatility to fit into a variety of offensive roles at the college level. Michigan being one of the five programs to secure an official visit despite entering the recruitment relatively recently is worth noting.

The Sept. 12 trip should give Pettigrew his first extended look at what Michigan's staff envisions for him and how he could fit into the Wolverines' future backcourt.

Florida — Sept. 25

Florida has been involved with Pettigrew for considerably longer.

The Gators offered him in June 2025, before his recruitment developed into the national battle it is today. Florida was already one of the programs Pettigrew discussed early in his recruitment, and the Gators have remained involved as his stock has climbed.

That early investment could matter. Pettigrew now has offers from programs throughout the country, so schools that identified him before his breakout have an opportunity to emphasize the strength and length of those relationships.

Florida also gives Pettigrew an SEC option away from home. His Sept. 25 visit will be an opportunity for the Gators to show why their early pursuit should keep them near the top of a recruitment that has become much more competitive.

Illinois — Oct. 2

Illinois may have the most obvious built-in advantage of anyone on the list.

Pettigrew is the No. 1 prospect in Illinois, attends Bolingbrook High School and has already made the short trip to Champaign for an unofficial visit. Brad Underwood's program was also one of his earliest Division I offers and has consistently made Pettigrew a priority.

Pettigrew previously noted that Illinois' consistent presence at his games stood out to him, while also pointing to the program's emphasis on toughness and defense as aspects that fit his style of play.

There is also a natural basketball fit. Pettigrew is at his best when he has space to attack, create shots and make aggressive decisions with the ball. Illinois has shown it is willing to give talented perimeter players significant offensive responsibility, something the Illini can sell heavily during his Oct. 2 trip.

For Illinois, though, this recruitment carries additional significance. Keeping the state's top-ranked prospect home would be a major win, particularly with national powers already firmly involved.

Ohio State — Nov. 6

Ohio State gets Pettigrew later in the fall, with his trip to Columbus scheduled for Nov. 6.

The Buckeyes have positioned themselves squarely in the race for one of the country's best guards, and Pettigrew's decision to use one of his first five official visits on Ohio State gives the staff a legitimate opportunity to establish itself among the leaders. He is currently the No. 14 overall prospect and No. 1 combo guard in the 247Sports Composite.

For Ohio State, the visit will be about demonstrating how Pettigrew could become a featured piece of its future perimeter group. His combination of downhill pressure, athleticism and three-level scoring gives him the type of offensive profile that can be built around.

The timing is notable as well. By November, Pettigrew will already have seen Michigan, Florida and Illinois. Ohio State will therefore have the opportunity to make its pitch after Pettigrew has had several other official visits to use as comparisons.

Arkansas — Jan. 1

Arkansas will get the final currently scheduled official visit, and the Razorbacks provide a different dynamic than the four programs Pettigrew will see during the fall.

Pettigrew has an Arkansas offer, and Rivals lists head coach John Calipari as the recruiter attached to his recruitment.

Calipari's reputation recruiting and developing high-level guards gives Arkansas an obvious selling point. For a player with Pettigrew's scoring ability and long-term upside, the Razorbacks can pitch an environment built around competing at the highest level while preparing players for professional basketball.

Arkansas also has the advantage of going last among the five currently scheduled visits. Pettigrew's Jan. 1 trip will come nearly two months after Ohio State and more than three months after his first visit to Michigan, giving the Razorbacks a chance to leave one of the freshest impressions as his recruitment progresses.

Where Does the Recruitment Stand?

There is still plenty of time for Pettigrew's recruitment to develop.

His offer list has expanded rapidly and includes programs such as Kentucky, Duke, Kansas, Michigan State, Texas, USC, Auburn, Missouri, Memphis, LSU and others in addition to the five schools receiving official visits.

There is also another major variable to monitor: Pettigrew is currently a member of the 2028 class, but he is considering a potential reclassification to 2027.

That possibility could accelerate the entire recruitment.

For now, Illinois has a compelling combination of proximity, familiarity and an established relationship. Florida has been involved since early in Pettigrew's rise. Michigan and Ohio State give him two more major Big Ten options, while Arkansas brings Calipari and an SEC program with an aggressive recruiting approach.

But labeling this a final five would be premature. Pettigrew has more than 30 scholarship offers, his recruitment is still relatively young, and his huge summer has only increased the number of national programs pursuing him.

What is clear is that these five programs have positioned themselves to get significant face-to-face time with one of the most productive guards in high school basketball.

After becoming the first 16U MVP in Nike EYBL history and establishing himself as a five-star prospect, Pettigrew has moved into a different tier as a recruit.

Now Michigan, Florida, Illinois, Ohio State and Arkansas will each get their opportunity to convince him that their program should be the next stop.

Written by Alex Karamanos | August 14, 2026