CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois athletics is making waves in the recruiting world, securing top-tier talent across multiple sports and elevating its programs to national prominence.
On Friday, Illinois women’s basketball coach Shauna Green added her fourth top-100 recruit to the 2025 class. Naomi Benson, a 6-foot-2 four-star forward from Streetsboro High School (Ohio), is ranked 98th nationally by ESPNW HoopGurlz.
Benson joins a star-studded recruiting class that already includes Destiny Jackson (No. 25), Cearah Parchment (No. 40), Manuella Alves-Fernandez (No. 61), and Erica Finney, an unranked 6-foot guard from New South Wales, Australia, known for her exceptional shooting ability.
Illinois’ recruiting class, ranked seventh nationally by ESPNW, is expected to climb higher with Benson’s commitment.
“We are so excited to have Destiny Jackson join our Illini family. She’s an elite point guard from Illinois and brings toughness and grittiness to our team,” Green said of Jackson. “She has the ability to score at all three levels and will play a big role in taking over the point guard position with two departures.”
Parchment, another prized recruit, emphasized the program's upward trajectory: “I chose Illinois because it was the best fit for my playing style. Illinois is building something really special. I look forward to contributing to the program’s growth.”
Green is also excited about Alves-Fernandez, a versatile post player. “She brings toughness and physicality to our team, and her ability to play multiple positions will make her an impact player for us,” Green said.
Green’s efforts have revitalized Illinois women’s basketball. After leading the team to its first NCAA Tournament berth in years and a WNIT championship last season, Green continues to elevate the program in just her third year.
Illinois football is also making headlines. Head coach Bret Bielema recently secured a commitment from Michael Clayton II, a 2026 four-star quarterback from Sanford, Florida. Clayton, one of the nation’s top 35 quarterbacks, is the first player to commit to Illinois’ 2026 class.
Men’s basketball head coach Brad Underwood added 2025 four-star guard Keaton Wagler to his roster. The 6-foot-6 standout from Shawnee, Kansas, averaged 12.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists as a junior, shooting 52% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc.
“Keaton is a young man who can play multiple positions on the perimeter and fits us with his positional size, elite shooting ability, and strong work ethic,” Underwood said. “He has an extremely bright future ahead, and we’re excited that will be a Fighting Illini.”
Underwood is also expected to sign Brandon Lee, a 6-foot-4 scoring guard, once the Big Ten Athletics Scholarship Agreement is finalized.
Illinois is proving it can compete with the nation’s best programs, securing elite talent across multiple sports and setting the stage for continued success.
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Q.C. Illini Report By Kedric Prince
Email: PrinceKedric@gmail.com
Twitter: @KedPrince4
