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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini women’s basketball fifth-year senior Makira Cook has been recognized by conference head coaches and named to the 2024-25 Preseason All-Big Ten Team. This honor was announced by the league office, highlighting the top 10 players in the conference.
After being named the 2024 WBIT Most Outstanding Player, Cook led the Fighting Illini to their first-ever postseason championship in the WBIT. She set a program record with 105 points scored during the tournament run.
Throughout the 2023-24 season, Cook averaged 16.4 points, 4.4 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.0 steal per game. She showcased shooting percentages of 40% from the field, 35.4% from 3-point range, and 85.4% from the free-throw line. Cook recorded her second consecutive 500-point season at Illinois, with 27 games of double-digit points and nine 20-point performances last season.
During the 2023-24 postseason, Cook reached her 1,000th point as an Illini and crossed 1,600 total points in her career. Since joining Illinois as a junior, she has started every game she has played in.
Cook was also named a Second Team All-Big Ten selection in 2023-24 by both coaches and media, and received Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and Academic All-Big Ten honors. She was previously named to the Preseason All-Big Ten teams for both coaches and media before the 2023-24 season.
2024-25 Coaches Big Ten Preseason Rankings
1. USC
2. UCLA
3. Ohio State
4. Maryland
5. Indiana
2024-25 Coaches Preseason All-Big Ten Team*
Makira Cook, 5th-Yr., G, Illinois
Hannah Stuelke, Jr., F, Iowa
Lucy Olsen, Gr., G, Iowa
Shyanne Sellers, Sr., G, Maryland
Alexis Markowski, Sr., C/F, Nebraska
Cotie McMahon, Jr., F, Ohio State
LAUREN BETTS, Jr., C, UCLA
Kiki Rice, Jr., G, UCLA
JUJU WATKINS, SO., G, USC
Kiki Iriafen, Gr., F, USC
Serah Williams, Jr., F, Wisconsin
*An additional player was included due to a voting tie
2024-25 Coaches Preseason Player of the Year
JUJU WATKINS, SO., G, USC
2024-25 Media Big Ten Preseason Rankings
1. USC
2. UCLA
3. Ohio State
4. Maryland
5. Indiana
2024-25 Media Preseason All-Big Ten Team
Hannah Stuelke, Jr., F, Iowa
Lucy Olsen, Gr., G, Iowa
Shyanne Sellers, Sr., G, Maryland
Alexis Markowski, Sr., C/F, Nebraska
Cotie McMahon, Jr., F, Ohio State
Lauren Betts, Jr., C, UCLA
Kiki Rice, Jr., G, UCLA
JUJU WATKINS, SO., G, USC
Kiki Iriafen, Gr., F, USC
Serah Williams, Jr., F, Wisconsin
2024-25 Media Preseason Player of the Year
JuJu Watkins, So., USC
Unanimous selections listed in all caps.
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