Shauna Green, the fifth‑year head coach of the Illinois women's basketball program, is steering the Illini toward a new era of WNBA draft success as the 2026‑27 season approaches. Under her leadership the team posted 22 victories last year, advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament, and kept its core intact after a productive offseason.
The roster has been reshaped by the addition of three former five‑star recruits—Divine Bourrage, Destiny Jackson and Berry Wallace—alongside a top‑10 recruiting class of 2025 that injects fresh talent into the Champaign‑Urbana program. In addition to the newcomers, veteran players such as Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice provide experience and depth as the squad prepares for heightened competition.
After a successful offseason that retained the core group, the Illini tested themselves against a national championship UCLA team, whose four players are projected among the top‑10 picks in the 2026 WNBA draft. Illinois held its own in the matchup, a result that underscores the growing confidence among the young players.
A Coach's Vision
Green emphasizes professionalism, rigorous training and confidence‑building as the pillars of her program, drawing lessons from seasoned pros to ready her athletes for the physical and mental demands of WNBA competition. She believes that learning from experienced players will accelerate the development of her roster and improve their draft prospects.
With the program’s first draft pick since Jenna Smith was selected 14th overall by the Washington Mystics in 2010 still on the horizon, Green’s strategy aims to turn the current influx of talent into concrete draft opportunities, giving the young players a clear pathway to professional careers and potentially ending the 16‑year drought without an Illinois player selected in the WNBA draft.