Nov. 12, 2008
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois women's basketball coach Jolette Law announced the signing of six talented student-athletes to national letters of intent on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period. Adrienne GodBold (Marshall HS, Chicago, Ill.), Brianna Jones (Central Catholic HS, Toledo, Ohio), Kersten Magrum (Lincoln-Way East HS, Frankfort, Ill.), Amber Moore (Country Day HS, Detroit, Mich.), Karisma Penn (Shaker Heights HS, Shaker Heights, Ohio) and Destiny Williams (Benton Harbor HS, Benton Harbor, Mich.) will join the Fighting Illini for the 2009-10 season.
ESPN HoopGurlz ranks the Illinois class No. 2 in the country, the highest-ranked class in program history. Three Illini signees are ranked in the HoopGurlz top-40 (No. 8 Williams, No 18 Penn and No. 36 GodBold), making Illinois one of only four teams nationally to sign at least three top-40 recruits. The class is ranked No. 4 in the nation and No. 1 in the Big Ten according to Blue Star Basketball, another national recruiting service. All six signees rank in the Blue Star top-150, including three in the top-70 (No. 16 Williams, No. 43 Jones and No. 70 Penn).
"It is a great day to be an Illini," said Law, who is beginning her second season at Illinois. "This is one of the finest hours in the history of Illinois recruiting. I couldn't think of six finer young women to positively represent the University of Illinois. I am confident that they will bring energy, excitement, hard work and a passion to win to our program."
"Each player brings unique attributes to the program, but the common denominator is that they exemplify what it means to be a University of Illinois student-athlete," Law added. "I have a special place in my heart for each one because they took a chance and bought into my vision of taking this program to national prominence. These young women represent me because they came...more will come. The pieces of a national championship team are starting to come together for our program."
PROFILES ON THE FUTURE FIGHTING ILLINI
ADRIENNE GODBOLD
5-11 // Forward
Hometown/High School: Chicago, Ill./Marshall
High School Coach: Dorothy Gators
AAU Team: Illinois Hustle
AAU Coach: Derril Kipp
Notes: Ranked as the No. 36 senior nationally and is the top-ranked senior in the state according to ESPN HoopGurlz ... Also ranked No. 101 by Blue Star ... Explosive athlete helped Marshall to the 2008 Illinois Class 3A state championship by averaging a team-high 14.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game ... Earned Champaign News-Gazette All-State honors as a junior ... Plays in the post in high school but is projected to play more on the perimeter in college ... Is the first player from the Chicago Public League to sign with Illinois since Angelina Williams in the fall of 2000 ... Attended the same high school as current WNBA star Cappie Pondexter, a former Jolette Law pupil at Rutgers ... Also runs cross country at Marshall ... Considered DePaul, Michigan State and Seton Hall, among others, before choosing Illinois.
Coach Law on GodBold: "I am excited to have the Chicago area's finest, Adrienne "NuNu" GodBold. We wanted to sign her because of what she brings to the program as a positive representative of the state, her family and the 3A state champion Marshall High School. In addition, she is one of the most explosive athletes in the 2009 class. Adrienne's athleticism and ability to score will help us become more of an up-tempo, defensive team that will score consistently in transition."
GodBold on why she chose Illinois: "I chose Illinois mainly because of Coach Law. She was recruiting me when she was at Rutgers and then when she came to Illinois, it was a good fit because it's a great school and it's close to home, so my family and friends can see me play. Coach Law reminds me of my high school coach, Dorothy Gators, who is a great role model. When I visited and hung out on campus with the team, everything seemed like it would be perfect at Illinois."
BRIANNA JONES
6-2 // Forward
Hometown/High School: Toledo, Ohio/Toledo Central Catholic
High School Coach: Steve Pfahler
AAU Team: Michigan Crossover
AAU Coach: Emez Oliver
Notes: Ranked as the No. 43 senior in the country by Blue Star ... Also ranked as the No. 26 forward in the nation according to ESPN HoopGurlz ... Averaged 14.1 points per game and led her team in rebounding as a junior ... Team went 23-5 in 2007-08 and advanced to the semifinals of the Ohio state tournament ... Named All-State and All-City as a junior ... Plays for the Michigan Crossover AAU team along with fellow Illini signee Destiny Williams ... Also considered Indiana, Iowa and Miami (Fla.) before choosing Illinois.
Coach Law on Jones: "Brianna is a versatile forward with a tremendous upside. She can play with her back to the basket and has a strong face-up game. Defensively, she has a strong presence and will do a great job for us on both ends of the court. She will bring enthusiasm and a contagious work ethic. She is a leader on and off the court, and her future here at Illinois is bright."
Jones on why she chose Illinois: "I like where the program is headed and how the players and coaches react with each other. Coach Law has a great personality - she is easy to get along with, but at the same time when it's time for business, it's time for business. She'll push you to become a better player and that's the kind of coach I need. It just felt like home when I visited. It was very laid back, not like they were putting on a show."
KERSTEN MAGRUM
6-1 // Forward
Hometown/High School: Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East
High School Coach: Jim Martin
AAU Team: Illinois Wolverines
AAU Coach: Ron Newquist
Notes: Ranked as the No. 149 senior in the country by Blue Star ... Earned first team Champaign News-Gazette and second team IBCA All-State honors after averaging 17.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game as a junior ... First team All-Area and All-Conference in 2007 and 2008 ... Sister, Shawn, is a senior on the Creighton women's soccer team ... Mother, Kari, played basketball and father, Greg, wrestled at Grand Valley State University in Michigan ... Also considered Nebraska before choosing Illinois.
Coach Law on Magrum: "I am elated that Kersten decided to be a part of the Illini family. She brings to this program versatility and work ethic that is unmatched. She is a hard-nosed player with a great mid-range game and the ability to pass the ball extremely well. Kersten exemplifies the state of Illinois and will represent this University proudly as one of the top players from the state."
Magrum on why she chose Illinois: "I chose Illinois because Coach Law and her staff are creating an environment heading toward success. Something really special is going to happen at Illinois and I really want to be a part of it. Also, I take pride in being from Illinois and playing for my state will be an honor."
AMBER MOORE
5-10 // Guard
Hometown/High School: Detroit, Mich./Country Day
High School Coach: Frank Orlando
AAU Team: Team Michigan
AAU Coach: Kevin McAdoo
Notes: Ranked as the No. 109 senior in the country by Blue Star ... Ranked No. 2 in the state of Michigan by MichLadyBallers.com ... Averaged 13.5 points per game as a junior to help lead Country Day to the 2008 Michigan Class B state title ... First team All-State selection by the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press in 2007-08 ... Averaged 15 points per game as a sophomore to earn first team All-State honors by the Associated Press ... Averaged 16 points per game as a freshman for a team that went 25-1 on the season ... Also considered Michigan, Michigan State and Purdue before choosing Illinois.
Coach Law on Moore: "I am excited to have a guard of Amber's caliber become a part of our family. She is an all-around, unselfish guard with a tremendous basketball IQ. Amber has the ability to score from anywhere on the floor and makes players around her better. She is no stranger to winning as a state champion from Detroit Country Day and is exactly what we need here at Illinois to build our own dynasty."
Moore on why she chose Illinois: "On my official visit, I was impressed with the school and facilities and I got along great with all of the girls, but what stood out the most was Coach Law. We sat down and talked and she had so much passion and enthusiasm for what she was trying to do here at Illinois and I want to be a part of that. I think she'll be the type of coach that will push my game to the next level."
KARISMA PENN
6-2 // Forward
Hometown/High School: Shaker Heights, Ohio/Shaker Heights
High School Coach: Don Readance
AAU Team: All-Ohio Black
AAU Coach: Jay Bee
Notes: Ranked 18th nationally and as the No. 3 forward by ESPN HoopGurlz ... Also ranked No. 70 by Blue Star ... Is a gifted scorer and athletic rebounder with good touch around the basket and range out to 15 feet ... Averaged 19.4 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game as a junior to earn All-State honors ... Suffered a knee injury during her sophomore season that limited her play ... Was named this year's OGBR Skill Development and Exposure Camp's MVP ... Also considered Louisville and Rutgers before choosing Illinois.
Coach Law on Penn: "Karisma is a forward with tremendous upside. She has great footwork with a soft touch around the basketball and excellent counter moves. She is athletic, plays with a fiery competitiveness and has a tenacious work ethic. She has an internal motivation that will propel her to constantly improve here at Illinois."
Penn on why she chose Illinois: "I'm very excited to sign with Illinois. On my visit, I liked the coaches and players, plus the campus was nice. It felt like a place where I would be comfortable for the next four years. I can't wait to play for Coach Law because you can tell how badly she wants to win and put this program on the map. I want to help make that happen."
DESTINY WILLIAMS
6-3 // Forward
Hometown/High School: Benton Harbor, Mich./Benton Harbor
High School Coach: Lou Harvey
AAU Team: Michigan Crossover
AAU Coach: Emez Oliver
Notes: Ranked as the No. 8 senior in the nation by ESPN HoopGurlz and is No. 16 according to Blue Star ... Named Michigan Class A Player of the Year by the Associated Press after averaging 24.5 points, 13.9 rebounds, 4.2 blocks and 3.7 steals per game last year as a junior and leading her school to a 17-2 record ... Averaged 25.3 points, 14.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.3 steals per game as a sophomore to earn All-State (AP and Coaches), All-Conference and All-City accolades ... Attended the Nike Skills Regional Academy in 2007 ... Plays for the Michigan Crossover AAU team along with fellow Illini signee Brianna Jones ... Also considered Maryland, Georgia and Louisville before choosing Illinois.
Coach Law on Williams: "Destiny is one of the most highly ranked recruits in Illinois history, but she has just scratched the surface of her potential. She is an explosive forward who can play both the wing and post positions, and also is polished from the perimeter. She has an uncanny knack for the ball, rebounds well, and finishes well in transition. She has added a three-point shot to her arsenal and her relentless style of play and desire to both win and improve is what we need to elevate this program to the next level. The sky is the limit for Destiny."
Williams on why she chose Illinois: "It was everything - the environment, the players, the coaches. I believe in what Coach Law wants to do at Illinois and that's win a national championship. I saw how the team came together in her first year and can only imagine what she can do down the road. On my visit, the people and coaches really stood out. It felt like they were being themselves with me and not trying to sell me on coming there."
