Illinois Women’s Basketball Lands Four-Star Forward Naomi Benson
Naomi Benson, a highly regarded four-star forward from Ohio, has officially signed with Illinois for the Class of 2025. Benson becomes the fifth commitment in the class, joining five-star guard Destiny Jackson from Chicago, four-star forward Manuella Alves from Brazil, four-star forward Cearah Parchment from Canada, and Australian wing Erica Finney. Ranked No. 98 in the Class of 2025 by ESPN HoopGurlz, Benson is the fourth top-100 player to commit to Illinois in this recruiting cycle. She had also considered Virginia Tech and Michigan.
The 6-foot-2 wing had an outstanding junior season at Streetsboro (Ohio) High School, averaging 16.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game. Prior to Benson’s commitment, Illinois’ 2025 class was ranked No. 7 nationally by ESPN. Benson shared that she chose Illinois because of the university’s welcoming atmosphere and the opportunity to be surrounded by elite talent, which will help her improve as a player.
Head coach Shauna Green expressed her excitement about Benson’s versatility, noting that Benson excels in multiple aspects of the game, including rebounding, running the floor, scoring both inside and outside, and defending multiple positions. Green also emphasized Benson’s athleticism and ability to contribute in areas Illinois has been seeking to strengthen.
This commitment further bolsters Illinois’ wing positions, with Benson joining Finney and Parchment in providing significant depth and versatility. With the addition of these players, Illinois is well-positioned to replace its current senior class after this season, continuing the program’s upward trajectory. Benson’s commitment is part of a broader trend of Illinois building a top-tier recruiting class, with four top-100 players now in the fold.
Illinois’ coaching staff, led by Shauna Green, has made a name for itself as a strong recruiting force. Their success in building relationships and securing commitments has helped position the Illini as a serious contender for top-tier prospects. As of November 15, Illinois is the only Big Ten school with four players in the ESPN Top 100.
Naomi Benson
Brandon Clay’s scouting report on Benson highlights her impressive size, athleticism, and ability to contribute on both ends of the court. Clay notes that while Benson’s skills facing the basket could further develop, her ability to finish around the rim and run the floor makes her a top national prospect at her position.
