CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini head coach Shauna Green has announced the addition of Camille Hobby to the women's basketball program. Hobby – a graduate transfer from NC State – has signed a Big Ten Tender of Financial Aid with the University of Illinois and is set to join the program for the 2023-24 season.
"I am so excited to have Camille join our family," opened Green. "Camille is exactly what we were looking for. She is someone who can score inside and brings a great defensive presence to our interior. I love that Camille has four years of playing experience in a successful program and knows what it takes to win championships! I recruited Camille out of high school and can't wait to finally have the opportunity to coach her. She fits our style and most importantly our culture. Camille is a fierce competitor that wants to do whatever it takes to win! I can't wait to get her here to campus to get to work."
Hobby is a 6-foot-3-inch center from Jacksonville, Florida. She started all 32 games for the Wolfpack last season while averaging 8.8 points per game, 4.2 rebounds per game and 21.3 minutes per game. Hobby went 118-of-228 from the field for a 51.8 efficiency from the floor.
"I chose Illinois because of the coaching staff and family environment," shared Hobby. "I'm so excited to join the Fighting Illini family and be a part of what's next at Illinois."
Across her four-year career at NC State, Hobby has started 33 games while playing in 113. The rising graduate student appeared in every game for NCST across the last three seasons. She's amassed 618 points, 311 rebounds, 46 blocks and 42 assists across 1,532 minutes of action. During that span, NC State posted an overall record of 102-23, which included a 52-16 record in ACC play as well as a 10-1 mark in ACC Tournaments. The Wolfpack qualified for the NCAA Tournament all four years with Hobby on the roster, posting a 5-3 overall mark while making an Elite 8 and Sweet 16 appearance.
Hobby earned her undergraduate degree in sport management from NC State in December 2022 and began work towards a graduate degree during the spring semester.
Hobby will reunite with former NC State turned Illini teammate Genesis Bryant. The duo played the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons together.
Additionally, Hobby will mark the third Miss Basketball to join the Illini squad. The transfer was named Florida's Miss Basketball in 2019. Rising junior Adalia McKenzie was Minnesota's Miss Basketball in 2021. Most recently, Illini signee Gretchen Dolan was named New York's Miss Basketball for 2023.
Playing her prep ball at Nease High School, Hobby was also tabbed the Class 7A Player of the Year in Florida while leading her squad to the Florida State Playoffs championship game. Hobby was also named to the 2019 All-USA Today Florida Girls High School Basketball First Team and recognized as the Jacksonville Times-Union All-First Coast Player of the Year.
