2. Kendall Bostic can jump-shot you to death
Throughout my history of watching Illinois basketball, I have developed favoritism for a handful of athletes.
I think back to special players in memory like Lucas Johnson, Dee Brown, and others. Yes, they are all male too. I didn’t used to have a love for women’s college basketball. Well, throughout the past four years, Kendall Bostic has helped develop that passion for the women’s Illinois basketball team.
Bostic has been incredible for the Illini. She has been the heart and soul of this program, and her game has only continued to develop over the years. In fact, I think it has developed from last year to this season.
Bostic's mid-range ability has been fun to watch. She isn’t hitting step-back three-pointers like Caitlin Clark. She isn’t physically dominating the paint like Audi Crooks. She is somewhere in the middle of that, and it is a great brand of basketball.
Nebraska felt the wrath of Bostic on Sunday. She was mid-ranging the Cornhuskers to death. Bostic dropped 19 points, 11 rebounds, one assist, and one block while shooting 9-of-16 from the floor. This included going 9-of-15 from two-point range.
Bostic can finish well around the rim, but she is extremely dangerous from 10-15 feet as well. Bostic’s baseline jumper is nearly unstoppable, and that dangerous shooting stroke helps so much with spacing. With the other team’s big having to step out and cover Bostic from that distance, it opens the lane for players like Adalia McKenzie to get aggressive and drive the paint. When McKenzie does that and the defense collapses, Bostic is then left open for a mid-range jumper. It is a beautiful offense.