CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – University of Illinois women's basketball head coach Nancy Fahey announced Wednesday the addition of NJCAA Division I first team All-America guard De'Myla Brown to the Fighting Illini roster for the 2021-22 season.

Brown, a standout from North Little Rock High School in North Little Rock, Ark., comes to Illinois after a stellar sophomore campaign at Chipola College in 2020-21. She began her collegiate career as a freshman at Western Kentucky in 2019-20.  

Brown joins Kendall Bostic and Sara Anastasieska, and November signees Adalia McKenzie, Jayla Oden, and Keanna Rembert as the newest members of the Illini program.

DE'MYLA BROWN | 5-7 | GUARD | NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS | CHIPOLA COLLEGE

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Earned NJCAA Division I first team All-America honors as a sophomore at Chipola College in 2020-21.
• Led Chipola to a Final Four appearance in the 2021 NJCAA Division I Championship Tournament after capturing the FCSAA State/NJCAA District VIII Championship as tournament MVP.
• Averaged 20.2 points per game and drained 73 three-pointers, marks that ranked seventh and fourth, respectively, in the NJCAA last season.
• Helped Western Kentucky to a 22-7 record as a freshman in 2019-20, appearing in 14 games for the Hilltoppers and averaging 1.7 points, 0.6 rebounds and 0.4 assists.
• Led North Little Rock High School to two Arkansas Class 7A state championships in 2016 and 2018, and was named the Class 7A State Tournament MVP as a junior in 2018 after averaging 13.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game for the season.

Why Illinois: "I chose Illinois because of the culture and the direction the program is headed. It was a no-brainer after I talked to the coaching staff and saw the belief they have in me and what I can bring to this team. I believe I can help start a winning culture here within the system Coach Fahey is developing, and it is something I want to be a part of for the rest of my collegiate athletic career. I've never felt so sure about a decision and the future of a program. I can't wait to meet and get to work with my teammates this summer!"

Fahey's Take: "De'Myla is a proven winner who led Chipola College to an NJCAA semifinal appearance this season. She played for one of the best at Chipola, Coach Franklin. De'Myla brings leadership and a championship mentality to our program. She is a versatile guard with the ability to play multiple positions; she can attack off the bounce and stretch the floor from three. We are excited to add De'Myla to our Illini family, her mentality both on and off the court make her a great addition and natural fit for our program."