Story Links
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Head coach Shauna Green has made significant additions to her roster with five recruits in the Class of 2025, featuring four players in the top 100 of the espnW HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings. Manuella Alves, Naomi Benson, Erica Finney, Destiny Jackson, and Cearah Parchment have all officially committed to the Fighting Illini, ranking No. 7 in espnW’s post-signing window class rankings.
Green and her coaching staff have secured four top-100 signees during the national signing period, leading the Big Ten and tying for second place nationally. Notably, Jackson (No. 25), Parchment (No. 40), Alves (No. 61), and Benson (No. 98) have all earned spots in the prestigious rankings.
Jackson, a five-star point guard from Chicago, has also earned a spot on the Naismith Trophy Girl’s High School Player of the Year Preseason Watch List.
Green has assembled this nationally ranked recruiting class in just her third season at Illinois, following the team’s victory in the inaugural WBIT in 2024. With 41 wins in her first two years, the most by any head coach in program history, Green has led the Illini to back-to-back postseason appearances and increased attendance at State Farm Center.
The program’s recent success has also boosted Illinois’ recruiting momentum, with the team currently ranked No. 22 in the AP Top 25 poll and holding a 4-0 record this season.
Following the addition of five-star freshman Berry Wallace in the Class of 2024, Green has now signed five-star recruits in consecutive years, showcasing the program’s commitment to excellence.
Shauna Green on the 2025 recruiting class:
“We are thrilled with the caliber of talent in our 2025 recruiting class. I want to express my gratitude to my staff for their dedication and commitment to building lasting relationships – a cornerstone of our culture and recruiting strategy. Addressing all our team needs and securing a top-10 recruiting class was crucial as we prepare to fill voids left by departing seniors. I am incredibly excited and proud of our staff for their efforts in bringing together this exceptional class.”
Manuella Alves | F | Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Four-star recruit ranked No. 61 in espnW’s HoopGurlz rankings
Ranked as a four-star recruit by 247Sports
Impressive performance at the 2024 FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup with averages of 10.7 points and 8.2 rebounds over six games for Team Brazil
Naomi Benson | F | Streetsboro, Ohio
Four-star recruit ranked No. 98 in espnW’s HoopGurlz rankings
Accolades include First Team All-Ohio, Metro Conference Player of the Year, and First Team All-District, among others
Instrumental in leading high school team to first sectional championship in 36 years and securing league and district titles for the first time in program history
Erica Finney | G | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Impressive performance at the FIBA U17 2024 World Cup, averaging 8.0 points and 2.4 rebounds with a 35.9% shooting percentage from beyond the arc
Recognized as 2023 NBL1 East Defensive Player of the Year and 2024 NBL1 East Most Improved Player
Destiny Jackson | G | Chicago, Illinois
Five-star recruit ranked No. 25 in espnW’s HoopGurlz rankings
Impressive track record with multiple championships and accolades in Chicago Public League
Cearah Parchment | F | Whitby, Ontario, Canada
Four-star recruit ranked No. 40 in espnW’s HoopGurlz rankings
Impressive performance at the FIBA U17 tournament, contributing to Team Canada’s silver medal finish
