Illini Women's Basketball

#151      

Boskydell

B
Boskydell
Champaign Toast said:
Below is my updated list of bigs who remain in the transfer portal and stand out to me.

Player's height, 2023-4 school and class year, and points/rebounds/blocks averages are listed.

I looked for players listed at 6’3” and taller that had some kind of production last year. A number of players have ties to Illinois, to our coaching staff, or to players on our roster.

I don't have any special insight into who is being targeted by the Illini staff, who has visited or will visit.

Some of the below probably are not true center defenders. For example, Cameron Williams is more of a forward, but has a local tie, so stands out in that respect. I’d be happy pairing a very good, athletic stretch forward with Bostic in small ball lineups, but will echo the constant refrain that we regardless will need someone who is a viable match up option against the true centers that we will face.

It has been noted that Kiki Iriafen and Raegen Beers have issued “do not contact” notices and thus likely already know their destinations (probably not us). Still, they obviously stand out.

It won’t be easy to land targets. Shauna Green said last offseason that it is always a competitive market for transfer portal bigs. Per her words, every program wants a quality big from the portal.

List:
*Kiki Iriafen - 6’3” Stanford (JR) averaged 19 points, 11 assists, and 0.6 blocks per game
*Raegen Beers - 6’4” Oregon State (SO) 18/10/1.3
*Janiah Barker - 6’4” Texas A&M (SO) 12/8/0.7. Athletic inside/outside game. Played with Cori Allen at Montverde.
*Timea Gardiner - 6’3” Oregon State (SO) 12/7/0.5
*Maryam Dauda - 6’4” Arkansas (SO) 10/6/2.2
*Amari DeBerry - 6’6” UCONN (JR) 1/1/0.3 former McDonald’s All American from same high school as Gretchen Dolan.
*Natalija Marshall 6’5” Notre Dame (JR) 5/4/1 Played substantial minutes.
*Maya Peat - 6’6” Arkansas Pine Bluff (GR) 11/6/1.3
*Tenin Magassa - 6’5” Rhode Island (SR) 7/5/2 from France. Started career at Dayton.
*Kyla Oldacre - 6’6” Miami, FL (SO) 5/4/1 from southwest Ohio. Had a scholarship offer in high school from Green, then at Dayton. Played 16 minutes per game for a team that was ranked during the year.
*Malea Williams - 6’4” Cincinnati (SR) 8/6/1
*Isnelle Natabou - 6’5” Iowa State (JR) 6/5/0.3. Natabou stood out to me last offseason when she was in the portal coming off two productive years at Sacramento State. At ISU, she played limited minutes behind honorable mention All American, Audi Crooks.
*Elle Evans - 6’3” North Dakota St (SO) 16/5/1 from Edwardsville, IL
*Cameron Williams - 6’3” Michigan (SR) 7/5/0 from Chicago
*Lety Vasconcelos - 6’7” Baylor (FR) 1/2/0.4 from Brazil. Played with Cori Allen at Montverde.
Click to expand...
Thanks, nice job.
 
#155      

Luwdoo

L
Luwdoo
Are we done? Hope not. These two are somewhat less than hoped for. Tenin’s shot blocking ability should help. And Brown Hagger having 3 years left is a plus. Sure would like someone who could make a big difference this coming year.
 
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#157      

Luwdoo

L
Luwdoo
The Galloping Ghost said:
She averaged over 2 blocks a game in three separate seasons. Yeah, that certainly fills an area of need.
Click to expand...
Yeah. If she averaged two blocks that probably means she altered several more. Plus she only averaged 18 mins. If she can play more mins those numbers go up. I believe Hobby was able to increase her mins over the course of the year. Perhaps she’s another Nnanna Egwu type. That would be welcome. As long as she doesn’t foul every time she sets a screen! I swear Egwu got one or two of those every game.
 
#158      

Luwdoo

L
Luwdoo
Champaign Toast said:
Below is my updated list of bigs who remain in the transfer portal and stand out to me.

Player's height, 2023-4 school and class year, and points/rebounds/blocks averages are listed.

I looked for players listed at 6’3” and taller that had some kind of production last year. A number of players have ties to Illinois, to our coaching staff, or to players on our roster.

I don't have any special insight into who is being targeted by the Illini staff, who has visited or will visit.

Some of the below probably are not true center defenders. For example, Cameron Williams is more of a forward, but has a local tie, so stands out in that respect. I’d be happy pairing a very good, athletic stretch forward with Bostic in small ball lineups, but will echo the constant refrain that we regardless will need someone who is a viable match up option against the true centers that we will face.

It has been noted that Kiki Iriafen and Raegen Beers have issued “do not contact” notices and thus likely already know their destinations (probably not us). Still, they obviously stand out.

It won’t be easy to land targets. Shauna Green said last offseason that it is always a competitive market for transfer portal bigs. Per her words, every program wants a quality big from the portal.

List:
*Kiki Iriafen - 6’3” Stanford (JR) averaged 19 points, 11 assists, and 0.6 blocks per game
*Raegen Beers - 6’4” Oregon State (SO) 18/10/1.3
*Janiah Barker - 6’4” Texas A&M (SO) 12/8/0.7. Athletic inside/outside game. Played with Cori Allen at Montverde.
*Timea Gardiner - 6’3” Oregon State (SO) 12/7/0.5
*Maryam Dauda - 6’4” Arkansas (SO) 10/6/2.2
*Amari DeBerry - 6’6” UCONN (JR) 1/1/0.3 former McDonald’s All American from same high school as Gretchen Dolan.
*Natalija Marshall 6’5” Notre Dame (JR) 5/4/1 Played substantial minutes.
*Maya Peat - 6’6” Arkansas Pine Bluff (GR) 11/6/1.3
*Tenin Magassa - 6’5” Rhode Island (SR) 7/5/2 from France. Started career at Dayton.
*Kyla Oldacre - 6’6” Miami, FL (SO) 5/4/1 from southwest Ohio. Had a scholarship offer in high school from Green, then at Dayton. Played 16 minutes per game for a team that was ranked during the year.
*Malea Williams - 6’4” Cincinnati (SR) 8/6/1
*Isnelle Natabou - 6’5” Iowa State (JR) 6/5/0.3. Natabou stood out to me last offseason when she was in the portal coming off two productive years at Sacramento State. At ISU, she played limited minutes behind honorable mention All American, Audi Crooks.
*Elle Evans - 6’3” North Dakota St (SO) 16/5/1 from Edwardsville, IL
*Cameron Williams - 6’3” Michigan (SR) 7/5/0 from Chicago
*Lety Vasconcelos - 6’7” Baylor (FR) 1/2/0.4 from Brazil. Played with Cori Allen at Montverde.
Click to expand...
You say you don’t have any special insights. So you’re not an insider. Is it ok if we consider you our number 1 outsider? Great job!
 
#160      

Luwdoo

L
Luwdoo
Kaitlyn Chen to UConn and Kiki Iriafen to Southern Cal. The rich get much richer. The Juju Kiki show. Whose idea was it to invite USC to the B1G?
 
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#161      

GILL-INOIS

G
GILL-INOIS
Still going after another big


Reality check-We are a borderline top 25 team that is probably 500/1 to win it all. We have experience but still missing an mpact starting 5. These aren't complaints as knowing we are on the rise but ton of talent has been added to the Big Ten this off-season.
 
#162      

Luwdoo

L
Luwdoo
Reagan Bass from Akron is visiting Purdue this week. She's 6'1" averages 7.7 RPG 17.1 ppg 1.1 bpg. Her coach was Ryan Gensler. A former Shauna asst. She was 1st team All MAC. I would think we would be all in on her. She's not considered a big but she gets almost 8 rpg. A 17 ppg scorer who shoots 51.3% would be awful nice with what we already have. We certainly don't want her at Purdue.
 
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#165      

3 point girl

3
texas
3 point girl
Just found out that the David Williams Foundation is honoring the 2023-24 Illinois Women's basketball team at their 3rd annual Celebrity Charity Golf Tournament on 6/8/24 at the O&B course. In addition to their children's charities money will also be donated to the Courtsiders to be put into their NIL ICON Collective for the team. Celebrity Players include David, Bonnie Blair, Dee Brown, & many many others.
 
#167      

Rlouizjr01

R
Rlouizjr01
Luwdoo said:
Yeah. If she averaged two blocks that probably means she altered several more. Plus she only averaged 18 mins. If she can play more mins those numbers go up. I believe Hobby was able to increase her mins over the course of the year. Perhaps she’s another Nnanna Egwu type. That would be welcome. As long as she doesn’t foul every time she sets a screen! I swear Egwu got one or two of those every game.
Click to expand...
I’m hoping just 8 to 10 ppg and say 7 rbd and of course keep the blks..More than anything presence and a positive role model for Hayven Smith.. I hope she is ready,but I’m sure she’ll have to adjust too..
 
#168      

GILL-INOIS

G
GILL-INOIS
Champaign Toast said:
www.on3.com

Elite 2025 women's basketball recruit Divine Bourrage lands new NIL deal

More top women's basketball recruits are taking advantage of NIL deals. Coveted junior Divine Bourrage is a perfect example of that trend.
www.on3.com www.on3.com

2025 target ... lands NIL deal... from local Quad Cities credit union

*not an indication of where she'll sign (as far as I know)--just interesting
Click to expand...
Yep. This is her 2nd NIL deal

Just interesting....cause the last time this happened Aaliyah Guyton signed with Iowa interesting. Not sure if anyone mentioned but Guyton tore her ACL during the season.

Last day for ladies to enter the portal-13.5 hours left CT
 
#169      

Luwdoo

L
Luwdoo
Just interesting….There are 18 IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union locations. 12 are in Illinois.
 
#172      

Rlouizjr01

R
Rlouizjr01
I’m sure hoping we can get more post on here..Maybe the women’s team could do a joint venture with the Sky just for exposure and presence in Chicago or introduce the Sky to central Illinois..Iowa is all over the place..We need to block the sun some…lol
 
#173      

Rlouizjr01

R
Rlouizjr01
I’m also wondering if there are any ‘25 recruits on the radar nearing commitment…I’m sure if we win which I think will win big we will see big presence,but what is going on now besides my biggest hopeful getting offers from South Carolina and NIL deals in Iowa?
 
#174      

Luwdoo

L
Luwdoo
Champaign Toast said:
Below is my updated list of bigs who remain in the transfer portal and stand out to me.

Player's height, 2023-4 school and class year, and points/rebounds/blocks averages are listed.

I looked for players listed at 6’3” and taller that had some kind of production last year. A number of players have ties to Illinois, to our coaching staff, or to players on our roster.

I don't have any special insight into who is being targeted by the Illini staff, who has visited or will visit.

Some of the below probably are not true center defenders. For example, Cameron Williams is more of a forward, but has a local tie, so stands out in that respect. I’d be happy pairing a very good, athletic stretch forward with Bostic in small ball lineups, but will echo the constant refrain that we regardless will need someone who is a viable match up option against the true centers that we will face.

It has been noted that Kiki Iriafen and Raegen Beers have issued “do not contact” notices and thus likely already know their destinations (probably not us). Still, they obviously stand out.

It won’t be easy to land targets. Shauna Green said last offseason that it is always a competitive market for transfer portal bigs. Per her words, every program wants a quality big from the portal.

List:
*Kiki Iriafen - 6’3” Stanford (JR) averaged 19 points, 11 assists, and 0.6 blocks per game
*Raegen Beers - 6’4” Oregon State (SO) 18/10/1.3
*Janiah Barker - 6’4” Texas A&M (SO) 12/8/0.7. Athletic inside/outside game. Played with Cori Allen at Montverde.
*Timea Gardiner - 6’3” Oregon State (SO) 12/7/0.5
*Maryam Dauda - 6’4” Arkansas (SO) 10/6/2.2
*Amari DeBerry - 6’6” UCONN (JR) 1/1/0.3 former McDonald’s All American from same high school as Gretchen Dolan.
*Natalija Marshall 6’5” Notre Dame (JR) 5/4/1 Played substantial minutes.
*Maya Peat - 6’6” Arkansas Pine Bluff (GR) 11/6/1.3
*Tenin Magassa - 6’5” Rhode Island (SR) 7/5/2 from France. Started career at Dayton.
*Kyla Oldacre - 6’6” Miami, FL (SO) 5/4/1 from southwest Ohio. Had a scholarship offer in high school from Green, then at Dayton. Played 16 minutes per game for a team that was ranked during the year.
*Malea Williams - 6’4” Cincinnati (SR) 8/6/1
*Isnelle Natabou - 6’5” Iowa State (JR) 6/5/0.3. Natabou stood out to me last offseason when she was in the portal coming off two productive years at Sacramento State. At ISU, she played limited minutes behind honorable mention All American, Audi Crooks.
*Elle Evans - 6’3” North Dakota St (SO) 16/5/1 from Edwardsville, IL
*Cameron Williams - 6’3” Michigan (SR) 7/5/0 from Chicago
*Lety Vasconcelos - 6’7” Baylor (FR) 1/2/0.4 from Brazil. Played with Cori Allen at Montverde.
Click to expand...
From what I can gather.
6 Still left:
Janiah Barker, Maryam Dauda, Maya Peat, Isnelle Natabou, Cameron Williams, Lety Vasconcelos

9 Gone:
Kiki-USC, Beers-Okla, Gardiner-UCLA, DeBerry- MD, Marshall-Miami, Magassa-UI, Oldacre-Texas, M Williams-Fla St, Evans-KU
 
#175      

Champaign Toast

C
Fan since Kiwane Garris
Champaign Toast
Luwdoo said:
From what I can gather.
6 Still left:
Janiah Barker, Maryam Dauda, Maya Peat, Isnelle Natabou, Cameron Williams, Lety Vasconcelos

9 Gone:
Kiki-USC, Beers-Okla, Gardiner-UCLA, DeBerry- MD, Marshall-Miami, Magassa-UI, Oldacre-Texas, M Williams-Fla St, Evans-KU
Click to expand...

-Barker or Dauda would be amazing gets, though I have doubts about how competitive we are for their services.
-Peat or Natabou I think would be very good, and could be willing to come to our Big Ten program for one last college run. But, the pitch involves sharing time and competing with Magassa--not sure whether this appeals to them.
-Williams is in the same boat as the 2 above, is from Chicago (Whitney Young HS) and has Big Ten experience. I don't hate any of that! She had an 18-point performance in the tournament while matched up against Kansas' standout 6'6" center Taiyanna Jackson, who was just drafted by the Connecticut Sun.
-Vasconcelos would be a good add, in my opinion. She played two high school seasons with Cori Allen, has three years of eligibility remaining, and got one season of development as a member of the Baylor team. She might be a decent depth option at center, since it's a tad worrying to rely on Hayven Smith straight out of high school should Magassa go down.

We'll see if any of them--or someone else--is in the cards for our Illini this off-season!