CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini women's basketball fifth-year senior
Makira Cook has been named to the 2024-25 Preseason All-Big Ten Team by conference head coaches. The league office announced the 10-player preseason all-conference teams on Thursday.
The 2024 WBIT Most Outstanding Player, Cook led the Fighting Illini to the program's first-ever postseason championship as Illinois won the inaugural WBIT. The Cincinnati native amassed 105 points throughout the postseason run, marking a new program record for points scored in a single tournament.
Throughout the 2023-24 campaign, Cook averaged 16.4 points, 4.4 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.0 steal per game. She shot 40% from the field, 35.4% from 3-point range, and 85.4% from the free-throw line while recording her second straight 500-point season at Illinois. Cook delivered 27 games with double-digit points and nine 20-point outings last season.
During the 2023-24 postseason, Cook scored her 1,000th point as an Illini and surpassed 1,600 points across her career. She has started every game she has played in since arriving at Illinois as a junior.
Cook was a 2023-24 Second Team All-Big Ten selection by both the coaches and media while also earning Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and Academic All-Big Ten accolades. She was named to the Preseason All-Big Ten coaches and media teams ahead of the 2023-24 campaign as well.
2024-25 Coaches Big Ten Preseason Rankings
1. USC
2. UCLA
3. Ohio State
4. Maryland
5. Indiana
2024-25 Coaches Preseason All-Big Ten Team*
Makira Cook, 5th-Yr., G, Illinois
Hannah Stuelke, Jr., F, Iowa
Lucy Olsen, Gr., G, Iowa
Shyanne Sellers, Sr., G, Maryland
Alexis Markowski, Sr., C/F, Nebraska
Cotie McMahon, Jr., F, Ohio State
LAUREN BETTS, Jr., C, UCLA
Kiki Rice, Jr., G, UCLA
JUJU WATKINS, SO., G, USC
Kiki Iriafen, Gr., F, USC
Serah Williams, Jr., F, Wisconsin
*Additional player due to tie in voting
2024-25 Coaches Preseason Player of the Year
JUJU WATKINS, SO., G, USC
2024-25 Media Big Ten Preseason Rankings
1. USC
2. UCLA
3. Ohio State
4. Maryland
5. Indiana
2024-25 Media Preseason All-Big Ten Team
Hannah Stuelke, Jr., F, Iowa
Lucy Olsen, Gr., G, Iowa
Shyanne Sellers, Sr., G, Maryland
Alexis Markowski, Sr., C/F, Nebraska
Cotie McMahon, Jr., F, Ohio State
Lauren Betts, Jr., C, UCLA
Kiki Rice, Jr., G, UCLA
JUJU WATKINS, SO., G, USC
Kiki Iriafen, Gr., F, USC
Serah Williams, Jr., F, Wisconsin
2024-25 Media Preseason Player of the Year
JuJu Watkins, So., USC
