The women's Illinois basketball program will need to solve their point guard puzzle in 2029, as it will need to find a replacement for Destiny Jackson.
Jackson will exhaust four of her five years of eligibility by 2029. She will have a chance to play a fifth season under the NCAA's five-in-five rule, but it will depend entirely on her chosen career path.
It will be hard to replace a player like Jackson, but Shauna Green is doing everything in her power to prepare for when her point guard is gone - most recently extending an offer to Kansas guard Harper Winter.
After a great conversation with @Shauna_Green, I’m blessed to say I’ve received an offer from @IlliniWBB. @MokanGirls @WinterSportsLaw @vicwilli @Dylan_Evans85 @CoachTiff12 @BJDunbar10 pic.twitter.com/08tZl70VEq
— Harper Winter (@harperwinter40) October 2, 2026
Winter, a four-star guard from Overland Park, Kansas, is No. 12 in the country according to the 2029 SportsCenter NEXT - Terrific 25 rankings. The 5-foot-8 Winter was stellar as a freshman, averaging 18.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 3.0 steals per game.
Illinois becomes the latest addition to Winter's long list of offers, including Nebraska, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Miami, Mississippi State, Northwestern, Harvard, Baylor, and Iowa.
Harper Winter brings an elite skill set that will make her the perfect combo guard for Illinois basketball
Green and Co. continue to poke around Kansas for premier talent, with Winter ranking No. 1 overall in the state via Prep Girls Hoops. The speedy guard became a pivotal piece of Blue Valley North's success, leading the Mustangs to a 16-6 overall record and a top-20 ranking in the state.
Winter is a major threat in the backcourt, with the ability to score at all three levels on the floor. She has a scoring package that makes her lethal when going downhill, almost welcoming contact whenever she gets to the paint.
Defensively, Winter uses her speed and agility to her advantage, which has led to an average of three steals per game for the sophomore.
It is hard to say that her skills will relate to Jackson's, as Destiny has played more like a pure point guard compared to Winter. But if Green wants to find a high-level player for the future, Winter is a great prospect to turn to. Keep an eye on Winter as she makes her way through high school.
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