Cockburn Cougars Release
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Former Illinois women's basketball standout Alex Wittinger has signed with the Cockburn Cougars in Australia, the club announced Thursday. Wittinger completed her engineering degree at Illinois and will be available for Cockburn's opener in late March.
The Cockburn Cougars, located in Hamilton Hill near Perth, are one of the original foundation clubs of the SBL (Western Australian State Basketball League) and the junior state league WABL (Western Australian Basketball League).
"Alex ticks every single box for us," said Cockburn head coach and general manager Tyrone Thwaites. "She runs the floor incredibly well, she hunts the glass, brings an elite defensive mindset, and is great off the bounce for her size. That aside, Alex comes highly recommended from a very reputable program. Everyone speaks incredibly highly of her. She has a close to unmatchable work ethic, which inside a young and developing Cougar program is a wonderful asset for us."
Wittinger played in 118 games and started 108 for Illinois from 2015-19. She averaged 13.6 points per game and 8.2 rebounds and set the Fighting Illini's career record for blocks with 274. She was a two-time All-Big Ten second team selection.
