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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – For the second time as an Illini, Illinois Women’s Basketball graduate Kendall Bostic was named a Big Ten Outstanding Sportsmanship Award winner. The Kokomo, Ind., native earned the distinction following her junior and fifth-year seasons under head coach Shauna Green.
Bostic was a four-year letterwinner with the Fighting Illini from 2021-25, helping lead the program’s resurgence that included two NCAA Tournament appearances and the 2024 WBIT Championship. Bostic led the Big Ten in rebounds per game each of her four seasons at Illinois, ending her career as the program’s all-time leading rebounder and double-doubles record holder as well. She started all 125 possible games during her Illinois career after transferring in ahead of her sophomore campaign.
Bostic was widely recognized for her leadership, work ethic, and community involvement during her career. The 2024 Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient was a First Team All-Big Ten selection in her final year at Illinois and was tabbed all-conference all four seasons with the Illini. Bostic also earned a spot on the WBIT All-Tournament Team and was a four-time Big Ten Sportsmanship Award winner, four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, three-time CSC Academic All-District honoree, and Illinois’ Female Spirit Award winner in 2023.
Bostic earned her bachelor’s degree from Illinois in speech and hearing sciences in May 2023 and a master’s degree in special education in May 2025.
Now the Assistant Director of Development, Varsity I, within the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, Bostic joins Illinois Football’s Nathan Scheelhaase as the only two Fighting Illini to earn the Big Ten Outstanding Sportsmanship Award twice.
2024-25 Outstanding Sportsmanship Award Winners
ILLINOIS
Ben Humrichous, Men’s Basketball
Kendall Bostic, Women’s Basketball
INDIANA
Jack Wagoner, Men’s Soccer
Chloe Moore-McNeil, Women’s Basketball
IOWA
Nick Jackson, Football
Alix O’Brien, Women’s Swimming and Diving
MARYLAND
Shea Keethler, Men’s Lacrosse
Kylee Niswonger, Field Hockey
MICHIGAN
Jacob Truscott, Men’s Ice Hockey
Ella Stephenson, Softball
MICHIGAN STATE
Josh DeVries, Men’s Track & Field
Nyla Hampton, Women’s Basketball
MINNESOTA
Danny Striggow, Football
Audrey Wethington, Women’s Ice Hockey
NEBRASKA
Roni Hietaranta, Men’s Tennis
Callin Hake, Women’s Basketball
NORTHWESTERN
Tyler Ganus, Baseball
Lane Herbert, Field Hockey
OHIO STATE
Cody Simon, Football
Madison Greene, Women’s Basketball
OREGON
Ryan Cooney, Baseball
Anika Thompson, Women’s Cross Country/Indoor Track & Field
PENN STATE
Nick Dawkins, Football
Samantha Catantan, Women’s Fencing
PURDUE
Matt Ramos, Wrestling
Jalen Elrod, Women’s Outdoor Track & Field
RUTGERS
Reggie Sutton, Football
Emma Baeyens, Women’s Cross Country
UCLA
Michael Pinckney, Men’s Outdoor Track & Field
Kiki Rice, Women’s Basketball
USC
Harrison Hornery, Men’s Basketball
Kaitlyn Dobler, Women’s Swimming & Diving
WASHINGTON
Malakhi Knight, Baseball
Lucy Newlin, Women’s Soccer
WISCONSIN
Anthony Kehrer, Men’s Hockey
Chloe Chan, Women’s Golf
