Illini Women's Basketball

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#278      
Luwdoo
Great news! We really needed this. Would have been nice to still have Tenin too. I wonder if that was the plan when the coaches were saying that they might get 2 bigs.
 
#282      
ptgrd23
Hopefully she can shut down the B10 bigs that killed us in the paint last 2 years (Nebraska, Indiana, Maryland).
 
#283      
Fan Since '70
Illini biggest shortcomings last couple years under Green has been not having a dominant two-way center, being able to guard bigger guards and Illini smaller players frustrations in attempting layups against taller players. Lety gives Illini interior defense and scoring, and can open up lane for driving Illini players who can dump off to Lety or Kendall when they are being smothered inside by taller players. Illini have opportunity to finish as high as 6-8 in 18 team league.
 
#284      
Rlouizjr01
The Galloping Ghost said:
Height is no longer an issue. The 6th ranked center in the class of 2023 and 36 overall. Yeah, I'll take that. Can't wait to see what Coach Cat can do with her because she clearly has the talent
Click to expand...
I love that we added the height and the traits for our center position with Hayven and Leti .I just hope for a rapid transition for both of these bigs ,and if so this middle of the pack projection will be blown out of the water…Or my orange and blue koolaid might be a tad too sweet right now…I’m really happy for Shauna Green and the Illini family…
 
#291      
Chukwuwumba
#293      
Champaign Toast
Chukwuwumba said:
That seems really good.
Seems like a really good add. Both young centers/frontcourt players. Flexibility in lineups. UW and SG seem to be comparing notes.
Click to expand...

Yes, interesting that Underwood (Jakucionis) and Green (Noya Catoira) both found their most recent signees in Barcelona!

Not jumping out of my chair for the signing of Irene Noya Catoira, but won’t complain about adding depth. She’s a 6’3” forward/center that based on the little info I have gathered (so take this for what it’s worth–I’m just a fan with an internet connection) isn’t especially powerful or explosive athletically, played for Spain’s U17 3x3 team but not its full court U17 5x5 team, and wasn’t a dominant performer with her academy/club team in Barcelona. You could see her playing the 4 or the 5, though perhaps is a tad undersized as a 5. I suspect her success in college will hinge on her developing elite skills and feel for the game. I will guess that she fills the Samantha Dewey role this coming year, but look forward to actually finding out!

Still, it doesn’t hurt to add one first-year player at the 4 position behind seniors Bostic and Schoup-Hill, and junior Bollin, and develop a connection to a leading basketball academy in Spain.

Sharing what I found...
There’s full game video on YouTube of Noya Catoira in the 2023 3x3 U17 Europe Cup events, as well as videos on the academy she played for in Barcelona, Segle XXI.

Segle XXI (“21st Century”) is similar to American basketball academies such as Montverde and IMG, hosting high school-age female basketball players in dorms and filling their days with school and a professional-style training environment. The academy aims to develop the next generation of Spanish basketball stars, with many participating on age-grade national teams and a number of them heading to D1 American college programs. Catoira’s teammates Maria Rodriguez, Marta Alsina, and Daviane Mindoudi, for example, signed with Oklahoma State, Washington State, and James Madison. Former teammates playing this past year in the US included: Marina Mata (BYU), Laia Conesa (Kansas), Cristina Sanchez (Arkansas), Ariadna Termis (Georgia Tech), Blau Tor (Columbia), and Silvia Gonzalez (Bryant). None of them starred in their first year of college basketball.

Unlike American basketball academies, Segle XXI plays in a second-tier professional women’s league, Liga Feminina 2 de Baloncestro, rather than against other high school teams. Segle XXI mopped up in the league this year, winning 25 of 26 games by an average margin of 24 points. Apparently they are not eligible for promotion to the top division of Spanish pro women’s basketball, possibly due to their unique status as a vehicle for youth development that graduates players annually. Minutes were shared pretty equally among most of the players on the squad, like we see in AAU ball.

Noya Catoira’s stats from the 2023-24 season:
6.5 points/game (5th on team)
4.8 rebounds/game (5th on team)
1.1 assists/game (9th on team)
0.4 blocks/game (1st on team)
2pt field goal pct: 46%
3pt field goal pct: 26%
Free throw pct: 40%

Eurobasket player page already lists her as an Illini: https://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/Irene-Noya/665196?Women=1
 
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#294      
Luwdoo
Champaign Toast said:
Yes, interesting that Underwood (Jakucionis) and Green (Noya Catoira) both found their most recent signees in Barcelona!

Not jumping out of my chair for the signing of Irene Noya Catoira, but won’t complain about adding depth. She’s a 6’3” forward/center that based on the little info I have gathered (so take this for what it’s worth–I’m just a fan with an internet connection) isn’t especially powerful or explosive athletically, played for Spain’s U17 3x3 team but not its full court U17 5x5 team, and wasn’t a dominant performer with her academy/club team in Barcelona. You could see her playing the 4 or the 5, though perhaps is a tad undersized as a 5. I suspect her success in college will hinge on her developing elite skills and feel for the game. I will guess that she fills the Samantha Dewey role this coming year, but look forward to actually finding out!

Still, it doesn’t hurt to add one first-year player at the 4 position behind seniors Bostic and Schoup-Hill, and junior Bollin, and develop a connection to a leading basketball academy in Spain.

Sharing what I found...
There’s full game video on YouTube of Noya Catoira in the 2023 3x3 U17 Europe Cup events, as well as videos on the academy she played for in Barcelona, Segle XXI.

Segle XXI (“21st Century”) is similar to American basketball academies such as Montverde and IMG, hosting high school-age female basketball players in dorms and filling their days with school and a professional-style training environment. The academy aims to develop the next generation of Spanish basketball stars, with many participating on age-grade national teams and a number of them heading to D1 American college programs. Catoira’s teammates Maria Rodriguez, Marta Alsina, and Daviane Mindoudi, for example, signed with Oklahoma State, Washington State, and James Madison. Former teammates playing this past year in the US included: Marina Mata (BYU), Laia Conesa (Kansas), Cristina Sanchez (Arkansas), Ariadna Termis (Georgia Tech), Blau Tor (Columbia), and Silvia Gonzalez (Bryant). None of them starred in their first year of college basketball.

Unlike American basketball academies, Segle XXI plays in a second-tier professional women’s league, Liga Feminina 2 de Baloncestro, rather than against other high school teams. Segle XXI mopped up in the league this year, winning 25 of 26 games by an average margin of 24 points. Apparently they are not eligible for promotion to the top division of Spanish pro women’s basketball, possibly due to their unique status as a vehicle for youth development that graduates players annually. Minutes were shared pretty equally among most of the players on the squad, like we see in AAU ball.

Noya Catoira’s stats from the 2023-24 season:
6.5 points/game (5th on team)
4.8 rebounds/game (5th on team)
1.1 assists/game (9th on team)
0.4 blocks/game (1st on team)
2pt field goal pct: 46%
3pt field goal pct: 26%
Free throw pct: 40%

Eurobasket player page already lists her as an Illini: https://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/Irene-Noya/665196?Women=1
Click to expand...
Thanks for all of the intereting info. I really don't know what to think of the 2 latest additions. Neither have very impressive stats. Lety looks very raw and unskilled from the very very little I have seen but she was rated high. She definitely has size. Irene seems to have some talent and skill and moves well. Not crazy about that 40 FT%. I am confident in this coaching staffs ability to evaluate and develop talent though. Lets get those 2025 recruits now!
 
#295      
AZILL
Hey, regardless of her background, opening doors to the European market, and getting a player with potential, who gives needed depth is a plus in my opinion. The womens game/recruiting is a bit different than the mens..... not as much $$ involved and convincing a player to join based on our ability to develop them is a good sign. I doubt anyone in the program is expecting immediate production from this pickup. But having her in the program is an absolute positive.
 
#296      
Chukwuwumba
Champaign Toast said:
Yes, interesting that Underwood (Jakucionis) and Green (Noya Catoira) both found their most recent signees in Barcelona!

Not jumping out of my chair for the signing of Irene Noya Catoira, but won’t complain about adding depth. She’s a 6’3” forward/center that based on the little info I have gathered (so take this for what it’s worth–I’m just a fan with an internet connection) isn’t especially powerful or explosive athletically, played for Spain’s U17 3x3 team but not its full court U17 5x5 team, and wasn’t a dominant performer with her academy/club team in Barcelona. You could see her playing the 4 or the 5, though perhaps is a tad undersized as a 5. I suspect her success in college will hinge on her developing elite skills and feel for the game. I will guess that she fills the Samantha Dewey role this coming year, but look forward to actually finding out!

Still, it doesn’t hurt to add one first-year player at the 4 position behind seniors Bostic and Schoup-Hill, and junior Bollin, and develop a connection to a leading basketball academy in Spain.

Sharing what I found...
There’s full game video on YouTube of Noya Catoira in the 2023 3x3 U17 Europe Cup events, as well as videos on the academy she played for in Barcelona, Segle XXI.

Segle XXI (“21st Century”) is similar to American basketball academies such as Montverde and IMG, hosting high school-age female basketball players in dorms and filling their days with school and a professional-style training environment. The academy aims to develop the next generation of Spanish basketball stars, with many participating on age-grade national teams and a number of them heading to D1 American college programs. Catoira’s teammates Maria Rodriguez, Marta Alsina, and Daviane Mindoudi, for example, signed with Oklahoma State, Washington State, and James Madison. Former teammates playing this past year in the US included: Marina Mata (BYU), Laia Conesa (Kansas), Cristina Sanchez (Arkansas), Ariadna Termis (Georgia Tech), Blau Tor (Columbia), and Silvia Gonzalez (Bryant). None of them starred in their first year of college basketball.

Unlike American basketball academies, Segle XXI plays in a second-tier professional women’s league, Liga Feminina 2 de Baloncestro, rather than against other high school teams. Segle XXI mopped up in the league this year, winning 25 of 26 games by an average margin of 24 points. Apparently they are not eligible for promotion to the top division of Spanish pro women’s basketball, possibly due to their unique status as a vehicle for youth development that graduates players annually. Minutes were shared pretty equally among most of the players on the squad, like we see in AAU ball.

Noya Catoira’s stats from the 2023-24 season:
6.5 points/game (5th on team)
4.8 rebounds/game (5th on team)
1.1 assists/game (9th on team)
0.4 blocks/game (1st on team)
2pt field goal pct: 46%
3pt field goal pct: 26%
Free throw pct: 40%

Eurobasket player page already lists her as an Illini: https://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/Irene-Noya/665196?Women=1
Click to expand...
Nice in depth dive! Seems like this is a longer term, developmental prospect but with good size and outlook.
 
#297      
Rlouizjr01
Wow I didn’t know we were in the hunt for a Kamren Kitchens as well..She once had Iowa in her picture but now from what I saw on her options she seems to like Va. or Tech.even Penn State all sort of regional.Having The Illini in that mix is definitely a plus because we are the only team out of that time zone.I hope we have some Kitchens cookin on the State Farm..lol.
 
#298      
Champaign Toast
Rlouizjr01 said:
Wow I didn’t know we were in the hunt for a Kamren Kitchens as well..She once had Iowa in her picture but now from what I saw on her options she seems to like Va. or Tech.even Penn State all sort of regional.Having The Illini in that mix is definitely a plus because we are the only team out of that time zone.I hope we have some Kitchens cookin on the State Farm..lol.
Click to expand...

Reports say she will announce on Wednesday.

I loved her 2023 highlight video. It showed off her swagger, confidence, range, shot creation, vision.... She looks super fluent with a basketball in her hands.

BRucks had posted the website on which the video appears:
https://www.ncsasports.org/womens-b...tte/independence-high-school15/kamryn-kitchen
 
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