(Photos courtesy Michigan State Athletics)
By Kedric Prince – IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting
April 9, 2021
Illinois women's basketball coach Nancy Fahey lost four players to the transfer portal recently, but this week she added another key piece as the Illini women's basketball team looks to reload.
Early in their careers, junior guard Naya Ephraim, sophomores Kennedi Myles, Jeanae Terry and freshman Aaliyah McQueen were supposed to be key contributors, but their efforts didn't lead to wins for Fahey. Last season Illinois had a record of 5-18, that included a 2-16 mark in Big Ten play.
Tuesday night, Illinois received a transfer commitment from Michigan State's Kendall Bostic, a 6-foot-2 native of Kokomo, Indiana. During her prep career, Bostic was the number 16 player nationally at her position and the No. 67 overall prospect, per ESPN HoopGurls. She was one of just seven players in Indiana history to score over 2,000 points and grab over 1,000 rebounds in her high school career.
Bostic felt her career was not going in the direction she wanted with the Spartans. She looked at what the Illinois program could offer in her remaining three years of eligibility, and the rest is history.
"I really like the idea that I could have an impact and make a difference within their program. I really feel as though I can make a positive impact on the program, and I would love to see this team make it into a post-season tournament within my time here. I feel as though for the last several years, the staff and players have established the foundation and culture of the program, and I would love to be a part of that," Bostic said.
Do not let the low-scoring freshman season numbers fool you: 4.2. points per game, grabbing 2.9 rebounds and shooting 53.2 from the field. Bostic feels there is more in the tank, and Fahey agrees.
"I know they can win at Illinois. I know they have a lot of talented players who are young. I want to help in any area I can where that is setting a screen to get someone open, making an extra pass, or taking someone on the low block," Bostic said.
When Bostic knew it was time to leave, she had several programs reach out to her, especially those who recruited her in high school. She picked the Illini over Indiana, Iowa, Wake Forest, Vanderbilt, and Penn State.
Please follow me on Twitter @KedPrince4.
PrinceKedric@yahoo.com
Ivisic Returns, 5-Star CB Commits to Illini, Shauna Green Leads Illini to 17-5, Luka Traded & Super Bowl Prediction
ListenIllinois Fighting Illini 2nd Half Rally Sinks Ohio State Buckeyes - #457
ListenJan 31 - Hr2 - S4Ep25 - Ked's Recruiting Roundup, Jerry Palm of CBS & Game Predictions
ListenJan 31 - Hr1 - S4Ep25 - RIP Efrem, Bostic's Record, Bruce Douglas & Mike Small
ListenFighting Illini with an Unexpected 80-74 OT Loss to Nebraska - #456
ListenHeat Checks & Hail Marys - Illini Star C Out, Jerry Jones Strikes Again, & RIP Efrem Winters
ListenFighting Illini 83-74 Destruction of Northwestern #455
ListenJan 24 - Hour 2 - S4Ep24 - College Football, Caitlin Clark & Taylor Swift and Title IX
ListenJan 24 - Hour 1 - S4Ep24 - Illini Hoops & Recruiting and David Cobb of CBS
ListenFighting Illini Smashed 91-70 by Maryland - #454
ListenFighting Illini Lose to Spartans 80-78 in Close but Controversial Loss #453
ListenJan 17 - Hour 2 - S4Ep23 - Illini Commit Davon Grant, Ant Wright & NFL & CFP Predictions
ListenJan 17 - Hour 1 - S4Ep23 - Illini Hoops - Men's & Women's
ListenFighting Illini Crush the Indiana Hoosiers 94-69 on the Road #452
ListenHeat Checks & Hail Marys - Illini Hoops Ups & Downs, What's Wrong with Penn State & Ohio State Makes the Plays to Win
Listen