Illinois Women’s Basketball Adds First 2024 Commit

Illinois Women’s Basketball Adds First 2024 Commit

Illinois Women’s Basketball had an extremely successful year under first-year head coach, Shauna Green. In her first full offseason, Green has targeted a number of instate recruits in hopes of having an equally successful second year. Their first 2024 commit, Hayven Smith announced her commitment to the Illini on social media on Wednesday. Smith is the first commitment in the class of 2024. She chose the Illini over offers from Harvard, North Dakota, Butler, Rice and many others.

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Smith played Lincoln Way East this past season where she averaged a double-double.

I’M STAYING HOME🧡💙 I’m beyond excited to announce that I will be continuing my academic and athletic career at the University of Illinois! Huge thank you to everyone who has helped me get to where I am today. Looking forward for what’s to come! @IlliniWBB pic.twitter.com/fpnR12AoGM

— hayven smith (@SmithHayven) May 3, 2023

Illinois Women’s Basketball adding post players.

Notably this offseason, Green and her staff have landed two notable high major transfers. Camille Hobby and Shay Boylin both decided to transfer from ACC programs (N.C State and Duke respectively). This is an impressive haul to add to an already impressive roster. Green and her staff were able to retain the talented crop of players including Genesis Bryant, Kendall Bostic, Adalia McKenzie and Jada Peebles.

They also have added two guards in their 2023 class. Gretchen Dolan and Cori Allen round out the exciting class of 2023 that will be able to learn from a talented core of players. Since they added two guards in their class of 2023, post players have been a target for the lady Illini squad. Green has delivered on that, especially with the commitment of Havven Smith.

Capitalizing on Momentum.

In her first full off-season as an Illini head coach, Green has already hit the ground running. After a successful year, the sell for Illinois Women’s Basketball is completely different. Much like Bret Bielema and Brad Underwood were able to do, Green Green has had to recruit high school players who have never seen the success of the Illini program. She can now sell the benefits of hopping onto an up-and-coming program. This sell seems to be resonating throughout the state.  Hayven Smith fills a huge need in the post and has the potential to be an anchor in the continued success of this program.

With the brand new Ubben facility up and running, Green has the opportunity to join Bret Bielema and Brad Underwood as major revenue coaches who are having sustained success. Not to mention, the crop of Illinois “other-sports” like Golf, Tennis and more that are having immense success.