Illinois Women's Basketball

Illinois sophomore forward Cearah Parchment heads into the 2026-27 season and stands firmly established as one of the most uniquely versatile, elite young two-way talents in the Big Ten. Coming off a freshman season that earned her All-Big Ten Honorable Mention, a unanimous spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, and four Freshman of the Week nods, Parchment anchored Shauna Green’s squad by starting all 34 games and averaging 13.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per contest while shooting 50.6 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from beyond the arc. Her rare combination of perimeter shooting efficiency, glass-cleaning, and defensive disruption was on full display as she shattered Illini freshman records for points (463), rebounds (285), and double-doubles (12), while remarkably tying the program's single-game steals record with 10 against top-tier competition. Possessing size at 6-foot-3, an elite motor, and a proven international experience with Canada Basketball, Parchment enters her sophomore year primed to power the Fighting Illini frontcourt as an absolute national standout. 🔶🔷 #Illini #ncaaw #BigTenWBB #WBB