The women’s Illinois basketball recruiting never stops, and it is never too early to offer a scholarship.
Shauna Green has the Illini playing at a high level, and I would argue the recruiting scene has been even more impressive. Illinois continues to pull in top recruits and is competitive on a national level consistently for the first time ever.
Just a week ago, Green looked to add to the roster for the future. Liv Johnson took to social media to announce that she had received a scholarship offer from the Orange and Blue.
Incredibly blessed to have been offered by @IlliniWBB ! All Glory to God! pic.twitter.com/5pNymJkBHF
— Liv Johnson (@LivJohnson2029) July 23, 2025
Johnson is a 6-foot-2 guard from Carmel Catholic in Illinois. She isn’t rated or ranked yet, and that is because she is from the class of 2029.
Let that soak in for a second. Johnson is entering her freshman year of high school and already has numerous scholarship offers. Illinois can now be added to that list.
It is tough to determine how good Johnson is going to be, but at 6-foot-2 entering the high school ranks, she has a pretty good chance to be a special player. She does have special meaning to a lot of Illinois fans.
Does the last name sound familiar? Well, it should. Liv is the daughter of fan-favorite Lucas Johnson, who played for Illinois in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The gritty and tough utility man for the Illini will hopefully get soaked in by his daughter, and she can bring that same toughness to Champaign.
Illinois’ run on recruiting has been incredible, and Liv Johnson would help add to it
Green has put together some impressive recruiting classes since taking over the program a few years ago. The incoming freshman class might take the cake, too.
Illinois has three four-star recruits entering the program, and the prized top player is Destiny Jackson, who enters as Illinois’ second five-star player in the last two recruiting cycles.
My hope is that down the road, Johnson is also a five-star or high four-star recruit. She already has a ton of scholarship offers, and that means she has talent through the roof. It will be an interesting next four years to see this kid develop on the court.