Every year, at the end of the season, the transfer portal is always a hot topic. Teams and players get caught up in the frenzy of switching teams. Players often move for sporting or financial reasons, while a program always recruits for sporting reasons.
Amidst the frenzy this year, the Illinois women’s basketball team have managed to remain composed as head coach Shauna Green has done a good job holding on to her players. Green has been at the helm since 2022 so she’s not a stranger to the transfer portal.
Minimal Losses: Illinois Sees Only Two Players Depart via Transfer Portal
So far, Illinois has lost only two players, Shay Bolin and Cori Allen. Due to an injury, Bolin didn’t play in the 24/25 season, but in the 2023-24 season, she played in 29 games and averaged 2.1 points per game. The 6’3 center was an advantage against taller lineups due to her size.
Allen’s two-year stay in Illinois was marred by injuries. In her freshman year, she averaged 2.2 points and 1.4 rebounds in 5.5 minutes. She missed the NCAA Tournament with a knee injury this past season.
Illinois Bolsters Backcourt with Portal Additions Maddie Webber and Aaliyah Guyton
Illinois has landed two players from the portal: Maddie Webber from Villanova and Aaliyah Guyton from Iowa. Webber, a 5’11 “guard, comes to Champaign after two seasons with the Wildcats. As a sophomore, she averaged 13.3 points per game.
Last season with the Hawkeyes, Guyton played in 29 games with one start. She averaged 4.7 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. She is the daughter of former Indiana great AJ Guyton.
Guyton was the No. 58 recruit in the class of 2024. She is also a good three-point shooter, shooting 37.3% from distance last season with the Hawkeyes.
What Does the Future Hold for Illinois?
As it stands, next season does look promising for Illinois. Gretchen Dolan and Jasmine Brown-Hagger will do a good job in the backcourt, but adding Guyton brings much-needed depth and quality.
Illinois also brings in a transfer class that ranks No. 8, according to ESPN, with Destiny Jackson (No. 28, per 247Sports), Erica Finney (No. 47, per 247Sports), Cearah Parchment (No. 49, per 247Sports), Manuella Alves (No. 82, per 247Sports) and Naomi Benson (No. 98, per ESPN).
KEEP READING: South Carolina Women’s Basketball Transfer Portal: Latest Updates on Who’s In and Who’s Out
Hayven Smith, Lety Vasconcelos, Irene Noya Catoira, and Berry Wallace are all set to return from last season’s roster. Shauna Green should be able to improve upon last season’s performance.
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