A huge announcement for the women’s Illinois basketball program is about to drop in the coming days.
The Illini have seen a resurgence that I didn’t think was possible. Not only has Shauna Green pulled Illinois from the depths of the college basketball world, but we are winning games at a level we haven’t seen in a long time.
An NCAA tournament appearance and the inaugural WBIT champs in the first two seasons under Green is a good start. That success is catching the eyes of some of the top players in the country as well.
Destiny Jackson is one of those players. The 5-foot-6 guard from Whitney Young High School in Illinois is one of the best players in the country. Jackson is rated as a five-star recruit and ranked as the No. 24 player in the class of 2025.
Back in mid-July, Jackson cut her choices to just five teams. She kept Baylor, Arizona, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Illinois alive for her commitment. A decision is now looming.
On Sunday, the Whitney Young social media account posted that a commitment for Jackson is coming on Thursday, September 5. She will announce her decision at 9:30 a.m. CT at the high school’s gym.
— Destiny Jackson (@JacksonDestoo) September 1, 2024
Landing 5-star recruits is something that could become a trend with the Illinois basketball program
Bringing in a player like Jackson would help revolutionize the women’s program. We have been in a dark place for way too long, and Green is building this program quickly.
Jackson wouldn’t be the first five-star recruit to pledge to the Illini, though. Just last year, Illinois was able to land Berry Wallace. She was a five-star who was the No. 22 player in the class of 2024.
Wallace will suit up for the Illini this season and be a big part of the program. But just think about this for a second. The 2025-26 women’s Illinois basketball team could have two five-star recruits in the starting lineup.
Illinois isn’t just becoming a relevant program. We are a legitimate threat to be a perennially ranked team that could compete for a spot in the Elite 8 or more. Let’s land Jackson and keep building this thing into a powerhouse.