The 2025–26 Illinois Fighting Illini women's basketball team represents the University of Illinois during the 2025–26 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Fighting Illini are led by fourth-year head coach Shauna Green, and they play their home games at State Farm Center. This season marks the program's 44th season as a member of the Big Ten Conference.

Previous season

The Illini finished the 2024–25 season with a 22–10 record, 11–7 in Big Ten play to finish in a three way tie for fifth place. As the No. 7 seed in the Big Ten tournament, they lost in the second round to Nebraska. They received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament as the No. 8 seed in the Birmingham 3 region. They defeated Creighton, which was their first NCAA tournament win since 2000, before losing in the second round to Texas.

Accolades Three Illini players earned All-Big Ten honors after the end of the 2024–2025 season. Kendall Bostic was named to the league's first team in both the media and coaches' polls, Genesis Bryant was voted to the second team by the media and the coaches, and Adalia McKenzie was recognized as an honorable mention by the media. Bostic ended her playing career as the program's all-time leading rebounder and was tied with Jenna Smith for most career double-doubles.

Off-season On April 23, 2025, Illinois announced the hiring of Jackie Alexander as an assistant coach, replacing Liza Fruendt. Alexander arrived at Illinois after one season as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Toledo Rockets, having worked previously at other institutions since 2017.

In October 2025, it was announced that two incoming players would miss the entire season due to injuries. Forward Manuella Alves suffered a torn ACL in preseason workouts and guard Erica Finney had bilateral knee procedures.

Departures Departures Genesis Bryant 1 G 5'6" Graduate Student Jonesboro, GA Graduated Cori Allen 2 G 5'10" Sophomore Nashville, TN Transferred to Memphis Makira Cook 3 G 5'6" Graduate Student Cincinnati, OH Graduated Shay Bollin 22 F 6'3" Junior Raynah, MA Transferred to Wisconsin Brynn Shoup-Hill 23 F 6'3" Senior Goshen, IN Graduated Adalia McKenzie 24 G 5'10" Senior Brooklyn Park, MN Graduated Kendall Bostic 44 F 6'2" Graduate Student Kokomo, IN Graduated

Incoming transfers Incoming transfers Aaliyah Guyton 1 G 5'7" Sophomore Peoria, IL Iowa Gisela Segura 24 F 5'11" Graduate Student Cervera, Spain LIU Maddie Webber 34 G 5'11" Junior Bridgeville, PA Villanova

2025 recruiting class

Roster

Schedule and results

!colspan="10" style=""| Exhibition

!colspan="9" style=""| Regular season

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Source:

Rankings

See also 2025–26 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team

References

External links Official website 2025–26 Fighting Illini Women's Basketball Record Book