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Illinois basketball center wins prestigious award at this year's Oskees

The Oskees are always a special night for Illinois athletics, and this electric center was able to take home one of the most prestigious awards of the night.
ByKellen Sherman|
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Illinois center Lety Vasconcelos, right, rebounds over Oregon forward Ehis Etute as the Oregon Ducks host the Illinois Fighting Illini on Feb. 4, 2026, at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Oregon.
Illinois center Lety Vasconcelos, right, rebounds over Oregon forward Ehis Etute as the Oregon Ducks host the Illinois Fighting Illini on Feb. 4, 2026, at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The women's Illinois basketball program has a plethora of bright young stars on its roster who come from all walks of life.

It doesn't matter if it's Berry Wallace from Pickerington, Ohio, or Destiny Jackson from Chicago, Illinois; the Illini are full of talented women from across the globe who have bought into the culture at the University of Illinois.

This past Monday at Illinois' annual 'Oskees' celebration, there was one member of the women's basketball roster who was acknowledged for exemplifying the spirit, courage, effort, and dedication of the Fighting Illini, and that was redshirt junior Lety Vasconcelos.

Vasconcelos, a product of Miguel Calmon, Bahia, Brazil, finished her 2025 campaign averaging 3.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game in 34 games played. This was her first full season playing for Shauna Green after one year with Baylor in 2023. and missing the following year with a season-ending injury.

Her win at the 'Oskees' marks the fourth time in the last four years that a member of the women's basketball team has taken home the award, with Kendall Bostic, Jada Peebles, and Adalia McKenzie winning the previous three.

The Oskees helped to highlight the fiery nature that Lety Vasconcelos brings to the women's Illinois basketball program

When you watch Vasconcelos check into a game, you can just tell that a certain kind of vibe is about to pick up. She is one of those athletes who clearly loves the game of basketball based on her actions and the energy she brings to the game.

The former Bear is a beloved member of the women's Illinois basketball program, and you can clearly see that in the kind words from her teammates in the video above. This team has such great chemistry right now, to the point where you can just feel the love that they have for each other.

This was a well-deserved win for Illinois' big, who will continue to be a pivotal part of Green's rotation this upcoming season. Vasconcelos is going to continue to be a game changer next season, and Illini fans are so thankful to have her in their quest for March.

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