The Canadian icon, Cearah Parchment, is continuing to make a name for herself in her first season with the Illinois basketball program.
The Whitby, Ontario, product has quickly become a player to fear for the Illini opposition. Parchment's commanding presence in the paint, combined with Berry Wallace's superstardom, has turned Illinois' frontcourt into one of the best in the country.
Parchment has been an absolute threat in all facets of the game, and the Big Ten has taken notice. In the month of December, the four-star recruit was awarded her first Freshman of the Week honor after averaging 15.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game across three games.
But now, after another stellar week for Parchment, she has been awarded her second Freshman of the Week honor.
Big Ten Freshman of the Week: Cearah Parchment
— Illinois Women's Basketball (@IlliniWBB) January 5, 2026
For the second time this season, Cece has earned Big Ten weekly honors! pic.twitter.com/6v1Ib7MbBy
It was an intense week of games for the freshman forward, as the Illini took on a gauntlet of teams in Purdue, Maryland, and Michigan State. Illinois was walking into a lion's den of sorts, which was leaps and bounds better than the cupcake schedule they were playing earlier in the year.
But that didn't stop Parchment from putting on a show, averaging 12.3 points, 7 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 blocks throughout these three games. It was a week for the ages for Parchment, highlighted by her game against Maryland, where she recorded 17 points, 8 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks in the game.
What's next for one of the top freshman in the Big Ten?
Parchment, the No. 12 overall power forward in the country via 247sports, has been a dynamic presence in the paint for Shauna Green and her squad. Her 7.7 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game both lead the Illini and show that her nose for the basketball can really change the game.
Parchment will be put to the test in her next two games when the Illini take on No. 15 Ohio State and Penn State. She will be tasked with defending two behemoths in both of these games, with Ohio State's Elsa Lemmilä and Penn State's Gracie Merkle both standing 6-foot-6.
It will be another big test for Parchment and the Illini, but I'm confident that they will get the job done. This program has been creating buzz that fans haven't seen in quite some time, and it makes it hard to believe anything less at this point in the season. Even with the size disadvantage, don't be surprised if she makes big contributions for the team in other ways.