Illinois Athletics is celebrating Black History Month 2023 by highlighting the accomplishments and contributions of Black student-athletes, alumni and staff. This year's celebration entitled "28 Days of Black Excellence" will be featured across FightingIllini.com and social media platforms.
The rafters at State Farm Center got a little more crowded over the last two weeks with the addition of two banners honoring Illinois women's basketball greats Jonelle Polk McCloud and Jenna Smith. The pair became the second and third women in Illini history, respectively, to earn the opportunity to forever be commemorated high above Lou Henson Court in Champaign.
"I don't even know how to describe it," Polk McCloud said. "I had gotten inducted to the Hall of Fame, and I got a call probably 2-4 weeks later. They said, 'They're gonna raise your jersey.' I'm like, 'What?!' Shauna Green called me and told me that, and I just couldn't believe it. I'm just honored, so honored."
Polk McCloud, who was inducted into the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame in the Class of 2022, represented the Orange and Blue from 1984-87, leading the Illini to the second round of the NCAA tournament in each of her final two seasons. Polk McCloud's name appears often among the program's all-time records, as she ranks first in made field goals with 815, third in scoring with 1,984 points, fifth in rebounding with 933 boards, and sixth in blocks with 135.
Her scoring records stand even more impressive given the fact she never attempted a 3-pointer; the 3-point line was not added to college basketball until the year after she graduated.
After departing Illinois in 1987, Polk McCloud played professionally for three years in France and Italy. Once she finished her playing career, she returned to the U.S. to serve as a graduate assistant at Northern Illinois and eventually as an assistant coach at Bradley and Florida State.
Though Polk McCloud had not previously returned to campus much since leaving the program, she has already been back in town twice this season to watch the new-look Illini's historic 2022-23 campaign.
"It is amazing. I love everything: the change in it, excitement," Polk McCloud said. "I came here for the Indiana game, and to be able to see this and then this many people here at the games, it's just incredible."
When Smith left Illinois in 2010 following one of the most impressive four-year careers in program history, she had rewritten the Illini record books, recording the most all-time points, rebounds, blocks, and double-doubles. Her 387 rebounds during the 2009-10 season set a Big Ten record that stood for four seasons.
Accumulating three First-Team All-Big Ten honors, Smith was drafted 14th overall by the Washington Mystics in the 2010 WNBA Draft and has since played in 13 different countries. Known for her competitive spirit both on and off the court, Smith opted to commit to the Orange and Blue after feeling the support from the entire Illini community.
"I'm a competitor," Smith said. "When we play Uno, Speed, War, anything, I'm a competitor, so when I step on the court, even at my age right now, I don't care. That's the mentality. I always just have that mentality. I'm gonna bleed Orange and Blue.
"Everybody always asked me, why didn't I go to North Carolina? My pride here. I wanted to bust my tail, and I did. It's surreal that all this happened. I never thought about it. I just want to win."
Smith is the first college graduate in her family and was a member of the Class of 2020 in the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame. Smith also recognizes the culture shift in Champaign under Green, and despite not being able to regularly come back to campus, Smith's name and legacy will forever be honored in the State Farm Center rafters and Illinois women's basketball record books.
"All the kids speak positively about her. She just brings a different energy," Smith said. "When I talked to the players, they love her, respect her, and I respect her. If I email her, she'll write back. I just love the energy she brings. She brings a different energy and intent, and that's what this program needed again."
