The Illinois women's basketball staff offered one of the nation's elite basketball players a scholarship last week. IlliniGuys members, meet New York prep, Julia Scott. IlliniGuys caught up with Scott to get the latest on her recruitment and where the Illini stand with her. The 2026, 6-foot-3 wing is currently sitting with 20 DI offers.

"I got my offer from Illinois Aug. 3; I wasn't totally surprised because I had talked to them before a couple of times. I am definitely interested in their program. They are in a competitive conference and are good in the academic department which is important to me," Scott said.

Illinois has been out east to land players; most notable is freshman guard Gretchen Dolan, also from New York. Obviously, schools like Louisville, Michigan, Wisconsin, Syracuse, Penn State, Boston College, Villanova, Providence and Xavier are just a few that have been heavily involved; other programs will more than likely follow suit. At her size, she possesses a real threat because she shoots the three ball as well as a two guard and punishes players on the block. Because she is good at those, her passing game is just as great as other parts of her game. With so many options to play college, Scott said she knows what she will be looking for when it is time to decide.

"As of right now, I definitely want to play at a power-five school. One thing I look for in a school is a good relationship between the players and coaching staff. Another important part would be the good business program; that is what I want to major in. Illinois told me how great their business program is there,” she said.

Last season for Albertus Magnus High School, Scott averaged 20.4 points per game, 12 rebounds, five blocked shots and 4.2 assists per game.

Illinois will have its work cut out for it; it is hoping Dolan could assist with this recruitment. Scott said that Illinois is trying to get her on campus. She is excited to see it because of the passionate fan base and the electric environment around the program.

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