I was as well. But I see 9 players who can contribute so that should be fine.
Illini Women's Basketball 2026-2027
Destiny Divine Gretchen Berry Cearah Aaliyah Jasmine Maddie Manuella Lety. I count 10. There's still 3 spots to be filled. I'm still hoping one of those is going to be someone who can contribute. We could still use some help at the post position.
Anyone that has entered the portal can transfer any time until they are attending classes at another school.
It is possible to still transfer if you didn't enter the portal, but the NCAA instituted new rules, for those kids.
"The Division I Cabinet adopted a proposal that penalizes programs that sign a transfer student-athlete, add a transfer student-athlete to a roster, or allow a transfer student-athlete to participate in athletically related activities before the student-athlete is entered into the NCAA Transfer Portal.
Penalties — which are automatically triggered — include a suspension of the respective sport's head coach for 50% of a season and a fine of 20% of that sport's budget."
There isn't a school out there that would accept those penalties.
I don't think it would stand up in court, but it hasn't be challenged yet.
The Athletic's way too early womens basketball top 25 has 11 B1G teams. Gonna be stronger than last year. Illini are not among them.
3. USC
6. Mich
10. Iowa
11. Neb
12. Minn.
13. Wash
15. MD
20. MSU
21. Ore
22. OSU
25. UCLA
They have Oregon and Nebraska jumping over us in the standings. We shall see.
3. USC
6. Mich
10. Iowa
11. Neb
12. Minn.
13. Wash
15. MD
20. MSU
21. Ore
22. OSU
25. UCLA
They have Oregon and Nebraska jumping over us in the standings. We shall see.
It should be called the Path letic for being so ridiculous for for the murky cloud in their foresight .I see no less than 8 or 9 teams on that lineup that I'm expecting victories over...I can't wait for the tour..Our Ill-ini women will be rockstars next year..Just watch....
Berry is very good offensively but there no way she will be able to guard at the 3
Fan Since '70
- OBS, Florida
Yes a backup center to Lety that can score and rebound inside would be an ideal get. Another spot up high% wing shooter would round out team.
I agree 100%
We finished 9th last season and have virtually all of our productivity returning. Add Alves, Divine and a healthy Dolan and we will be much improved if we can stay healthy. We will finish higher than 9th this year.
I agree. Seems like that staying healthy is a big if every year though.
With the 4 guards we have Destiny, Divine, Jasmine, and Aaliyah our guard play floor is high and the ceiling is very high.
The same with our wings/forwards, Berry, Cearah, Maddie, and Gretchen. High floor and very high ceiling.
The question becomes our post play. We just don't know. I think Alves could be very good but that might take some time. Hopefully not. Lety can chip in but I dont think she is the answer. I wish I knew if we were still shopping for someone or are we just looking to fill the roster.
Champaign Toast
Fan since Kiwane Garris
A center that can score and rebound inside would, I think, start over Lety. Vasconcelos averaged 3 points and 3 rebounds last season.
I hope that a full healthy off-season will allow Lety to develop into a dominant player, or at least a solid 5 who stays on the floor and reliably does the things: rebound, score in the post, alter shots, pass out of a double team to an open shooter...
I imagine the coaching staff believes in Vasconcelos, and believes in themselves to foster that kind of growth. We don't know how it will turn out, but I don't blame them for believing in the process. I suspect that getting a bona fide center in the portal is awfully challenging and expensive to recruit.
I won't be surprised if the program sticks with a 3-horse engine in the frontcourt--Vasconcelos, Alves, and Parchment--with Noya Catoira as of now being the fourth big and out of the regular rotation.
uofi7477
- Silver & Gold Vandals
I have faith & belief that Lety will meet the challenge the coming season. I already very much enjoyed watching her this season.
From what little I’ve seen of Alves I think she is far superior to Lety in every phase of the game. Letys size is definitely a factor in her favor though. I just hope between the two of them that they can relieve Parchment from playing all of her minutes in the post.
ptgrd23
- orange county CA
We got abused by big physical centers in B10 season.
Cearah is a stretch 4. Lety tried but is very slow and does not have real post moves yet. Manuela could be the answer but we have not seen her play and she is coming off bad knee injury.
I wonder if Miško Ražnatović reps any woman players in the Balkans?
Lauren Betts is graduating but we are still one of smaller teams in a killer Big10 conference.
Cearah is a stretch 4. Lety tried but is very slow and does not have real post moves yet. Manuela could be the answer but we have not seen her play and she is coming off bad knee injury.
I wonder if Miško Ražnatović reps any woman players in the Balkans?
Lauren Betts is graduating but we are still one of smaller teams in a killer Big10 conference.
pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
Lety was coming off her own injury the year b4 last year....I think she will play a lot better next season and Manuela was very aggressive in the tourney I watched her play in .....she enjoyed the physical contact and made a lot of layups and putbacks..........
Both Alves and Vasconcelos will be like iron sharpening iron because Alves is really good... Forget that ranking.She has played the pros and stood out very well.
Hate losing Illinois kids to other B10 teams.
Mac Irvin Fire. ABI!
Yep, agreed. We could use some size and shooting. From what I've read, she can provide both. But maybe she wants a larger role than what Shauna can give her.