CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini women’s basketball head coach Shauna Green has announced the addition of Lety Vasconcelos (LET-ee VASS-con-SELL-os) to the program. Vasconcelos – a rising sophomore transfer from Baylor – has signed a Big Ten Tender of Financial Aid with the University of Illinois and is set to join the program beginning with the 2024-25 season.

Vasconcelos is a 6-foot-7-inch center from Miguel Calmon, Bahia, Brazil. She appeared in 17 games off the bench for the Bears last season while averaging 1.1 points and 2.1 rebounds across 99 minutes of action as a true freshman. She was the lone freshman on Baylor’s squad last season.

During her season in Waco, Texas, Vasconcelos and the Baylor squad posted a 26-8 overall record, including an 12-6 mark in Big 12 play. The Bears advanced to the Sweet 16 before bowing out to top-seeded USC.

Vasconcelos played her final two seasons of prep ball at Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, where she was ranked No. 6 in her position and No. 36 overall in the 2023 class by ESPN HoopGurlz. Along with former teammate and current Illini Cori Allen, Vasconcelos won back-to-back GEICO High School National Championships.

As a senior at Montverde, she led her team with 6.6 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game as the squad posted the school’s best-ever regular season record of 24-1 during the 2022-23 campaign.

Prior to Montverde Academy, Vasconcelos also attended Holy Spirit Prep (Atlanta, Ga.) and Hamilton Heights Christian Academic (Chattanooga, Tenn.)

Vasconcelos is a three-time member of the Brazilian national team, winning the South American Championship in 2020.

HEAD COACH SHAUNA GREEN ON THE ADDITION OF LETY VASCONCELOS:

“I could not be more excited to have Lety join our FamILLy! She is someone we knew we needed as soon as she was in the portal. We have watched her since high school and the sky is truly the limit for her. Lety brings size, great hands, the ability to be a major scorer on the low block, and will add great rim protection with her ability to block shots. This is an area we needed to address and Lety is the perfect fit for our system. Lety is a hard worker with big dreams, and I can’t wait to have her here to get started in the process of her reaching all her goals! She is a great basketball player, but more importantly, she is a high-character person who fits our culture!”

LETY VASCONCELOS ON WHY SHE CHOSE ILLINOIS:

“I’m super excited to join the Illini family! The idea of playing in the Big Ten truly fascinates me. Having coaches like Coach Shauna, Coach Mc, and the rest of the coaching staff really make me even more excited because I know they will prepare and develop me to have a successful career. I can’t wait to get back on campus with my new teammates and get to work! See you soon Illini Nation! I-L-L!”