CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini women's basketball program added Tara O'Malley, a Chicago native and former four-sport standout at Mother McAuley High School, to the roster for 2020-21 season. O'Malley, a junior guard, joins the Illini in as a walk-on. She previously served as a team manager during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons.

While at Mother McAuley, O'Malley lettered 11 times in basketball (4), lacrosse (3), cross country (3) and golf (1). She tallied more than 1,000 career points for the Mighty Macs, averaging 15 points and five assists per contest, and earned four all-conference nods. As a senior in 2018, O'Malley led the team to a sectional title, earning Southtown Star Player of the Year, and all-state second-team accolades. O'Malley also competed for AAU club Mac Irvin Lady Fire from 2008-17.

An honor student in high school, O'Malley is studying recreation, sport and tourism at Illinois.