The women's Illinois basketball team is taking part in the overseas recruiting pipeline that has been so good to the University.
Brad Underwood and the men's basketball program became famous for this recruiting strategy, bringing in the likes of David Mirkovic, Tomislav Ivisic, and his brother Zvonimir Ivisic, among others, to the Illini.
This past Saturday, the women's basketball team decided to get in on the action. According to Misko Raznatovic, agent to the Balkan players on the men's team, Shauna Green has brought in a Balkan of her own in 6-foot-4 center Lana Brenjo.
Another transfer from the Balkans to Illinois — although this time, a slightly different one😁😁!
— Misko4Raznatovic (@MiskoRaznatovic) May 16, 2026
Lara Brenjo, a player for Mega Superbet, has committed to the Illinois Fighting Illini.#BeoBasketNIL
Brenjo, an 18-year-old Serbian, is a current member of Mega Superbet, which is based in Belgrade, Serbia. In 24 games last season for her club, Brenjo averaged 7.2 points and 5.4 boards in 27.8 minutes per game.
Brenjo is a much more traditional big when compared to Berry Wallace and Cearah Parchment. She doesn't really have extensive range, as shown by her shooting 26.2% from three-point range last season, but her size and strength underneath the basket have made her a handful in the post.
Lana Brenjo will be a key developmental talent, as Illinois basketball looks towards the future
Last season, the Illinois frontcourt was led by the stellar play of Wallace, Parchment, and Lety Vasconcelos off the bench. The Illini had the perfect rotation of size and skill that forced the opposition to game plan for a variety of play styles.
These three players cemented themselves at the top of the depth chart, and it's hard to see that changing any time soon. With Illinois losing two bigs to the transfer portal in Hayven Smith and Naomi Benson this offseason, they needed to make a move to help bolster depth.
This is a great move on paper, based on Brenjo's size and the pro-level talent that she is used to playing against. But unless something catastrophic happens, she will most likely be a player for Illinois to develop and to fill out the depth chart.
If she stays with the team throughout her eligibility, Brenjo has a chance to be a premier talent in the Big Ten down the road. Until that day happens, Wallace and Parchment should get the lion's share of the minutes.
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