NCAA TRANSFER NEWS: Illini squad adds graduate transfer Alli Ball

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – 6-foot-1 forward Alli Ball to the Illini squad for the 2017-18 season. Ball is a graduate transfer from the University of Akron where she studied marketing and consumer behavior.  She played in all but four games throughout her three-year service for the Akron. She is a two-time first-team Academic All-Mid-American Conference selection. The St. Louis-native is eager to continue her studies and eligibility closer to home, “I felt like [Illinois] was a great fit for me both academically and athletically,” said Ball in the program press release. “I look forward to playing for Coach Fahey and the Illini staff and to playing with the team.”

The St. Louis-native is eager to continue her studies and eligibility closer to home, “I felt like [Illinois] was a great fit for me both academically and athletically,” said Ball in the program press release. “I look forward to playing for Coach Fahey and the Illini staff and to playing with the team.”

The Illini women’s basketball team finished 9-22 in the 2016-17 season. The program’s last winning season was the 2012-13 campaign (19-14).   Coach Fahey is looking for Ball can bring a veteran presence to her team’s eight underclassmen. “Alli gives us added depth in our post position and her three years of collegiate playing experience is an added bonus.  An ultimate team player, she will fit in well with our program’s philosophy and system.”

Ball set four high school records while at Principia Upper School. She graduated as the leader in career points (1,360), single season points (533), single season blocks (122) and 255 career blocks. graduating as the school record holder for her 1,360 career points, her 553 points in a single season, blocks in a single season (122) and for her 255 career blocks. She led Principia Upper School to two conference, district and sectional championships during her high school career.