Bostic Named Big Ten Outstanding Sportsmanship Award Winner

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – For the second time as an Illini, Illinois Women's Basketball graduate Kendall Bostic was named a Big Ten Outstanding Sportsmanship Award winner. The Kokomo, Ind., native earned the distinction following her junior and fifth-year seasons under head coach Shauna Green.

Bostic was a four-year letterwinner with the Fighting Illini from 2021-25, helping lead the program's resurgence that included two NCAA Tournament appearances and the 2024 WBIT Championship. Bostic led the Big Ten in rebounds per game each of her four seasons at Illinois, ending her career as the program's all-time leading rebounder and double-doubles record holder as well. She started all 125 possible games during her Illinois career after transferring in ahead of her sophomore campaign.  

Bostic was widely recognized for her leadership, work ethic, and community involvement during her career. The 2024 Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient was a First Team All-Big Ten selection in her final year at Illinois and was tabbed all-conference all four seasons with the Illini. Bostic also earned a spot on the WBIT All-Tournament Team and was a four-time Big Ten Sportsmanship Award winner, four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, three-time CSC Academic All-District honoree, and Illinois' Female Spirit Award winner in 2023.

Bostic earned her bachelor's degree from Illinois in speech and hearing sciences in May 2023 and a master's degree in special education in May 2025.

Now the Assistant Director of Development, Varsity I, within the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, Bostic joins Illinois Football's Nathan Scheelhaase as the only two Fighting Illini to earn the Big Ten Outstanding Sportsmanship Award twice.

2024-25 Outstanding Sportsmanship Award Winners

ILLINOIS
Ben Humrichous, Men's Basketball
Kendall Bostic, Women's Basketball

INDIANA
Jack Wagoner, Men's Soccer
Chloe Moore-McNeil, Women's Basketball

IOWA
Nick Jackson, Football 
Alix O'Brien, Women's Swimming and Diving

MARYLAND
Shea Keethler, Men's Lacrosse 
Kylee Niswonger, Field Hockey

MICHIGAN
Jacob Truscott, Men's Ice Hockey
Ella Stephenson, Softball

MICHIGAN STATE
Josh DeVries, Men's Track & Field
Nyla Hampton, Women's Basketball

MINNESOTA
Danny Striggow, Football 
Audrey Wethington, Women's Ice Hockey 

NEBRASKA
Roni Hietaranta, Men's Tennis
Callin Hake, Women's Basketball

NORTHWESTERN
Tyler Ganus, Baseball
Lane Herbert, Field Hockey

OHIO STATE
Cody Simon, Football
Madison Greene, Women's Basketball 

OREGON
Ryan Cooney, Baseball
Anika Thompson, Women's Cross Country/Indoor Track & Field

PENN STATE
Nick Dawkins, Football
Samantha Catantan, Women's Fencing

PURDUE
Matt Ramos, Wrestling 
Jalen Elrod, Women's Outdoor Track & Field

RUTGERS
Reggie Sutton, Football
Emma Baeyens, Women's Cross Country

UCLA
Michael Pinckney, Men's Outdoor Track & Field
Kiki Rice, Women's Basketball

USC
Harrison Hornery, Men's Basketball
Kaitlyn Dobler, Women's Swimming & Diving

WASHINGTON 
Malakhi Knight, Baseball
Lucy Newlin, Women's Soccer

WISCONSIN 
Anthony Kehrer, Men's Hockey
Chloe Chan, Women's Golf