Illinois Women’s Basketball continues gradual improvements into year three

Head coach Shauna Green has been effusive in her praise about what this current super senior class of Makira Cook, Genesis Bryant, and Kendall Bostic have meant to the program. The trio has helped provide immediate success, by improving the perception of the program. We are starting to see the program reap those rewards, signing talented high school recruit talented players in the transfer portal.

What began with strong personal connections and trust coach Green created as both a coach and recruiter led to a strong foundation of players to build the program around. Additionally, past success at the mid-major level in the Atlantic 10 Conference while at Dayton was vital in Green’s recruiting pitches. Illinois women’s basketball has now signed three top 50 recruits, including two five-star players and a McDonald’s All-American. Just be on the lookout for more recruits to sign soon as Coach Green and associate head coach Calamity McEntire have alluded to.

The Current Squad

The added depth for Illinois women’s basketball starts with five-star freshman Berry Wallace. 

The 2023 top-ranked player in Illinois, Jasmine Brown-Hagger, transferred from Mississippi State, should play a crucial role in the Illini’s season.  Coach Green has made note of freshman to sophomore improvements seen in Cori Allen and Gretchen Dolan. Pairing this with the returning core of five seniors this season will be fun to watch. 

Berry Wallace

By the sounds of it, Wallace will play a large role in the rotation from the onset. The skilled wing has earned positive remarks from coach Green as being ultra-consistent in practice.  Green has made statements that she “plays beyond her years” and “doesn’t look like a freshman.” Having Berry as an added insurance in the rotation should certainly allow the program to take that next step.

Jasmine Brown-Hagger

One of the key traits we’ve heard about Jasmine’s game is her energy on defense. This is highly encouraging for a team in Illinois that has excelled offensively but struggled defensively. Per Her Hoop Stats, Illinois has ranked 11th and 26th nationally in the last two seasons in overall offensive rating. However, they have ranked only 198th and 246th on defense. Having players like Jasmine and Adalia McKenzie who pride themselves on playing disciplined defense can change the outcome of the game with their effort.

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