Wilson Named All-MVC Preseason First Team Selection

MOLINE, Ill. – Illinois State graduate forward DeAnna Wilson earned Preseason All-MVC First Team honors Tuesday, as announced by the league office at the annual MVC WBB Tipoff at Vibrant Arena at The Mark in Moline, Ill. In addition, Illinois State was picked to finish third by the preseason conference poll.  

Wilson averaged 13.0 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in 2022-2023 en route to All-MVC Second Team honors during her senior campaign. She finished the season ranked eighth in the Valley in rebounding and twelfth in scoring as Illinois State won its first MVC Regular season title since 2009-2010. Wilson led the Redbirds in rebounding on the year and tallied eight points-rebounds double-doubles. It is the second straight season she has earned preseason honors from the Valley.  

Wilson is likely to become the 27th player in program history to surpass 1,100 career points this season. She ranks 29th in program history with 1,052 points heading into the year. Wilson is also 70 rebounds shy of collecting 700 in her career as a Redbird, which only nine other athletes have done in program history. She would become the first Redbird with 700 career rebounds since Kenyatta Shelton, who grabbed 707 career rebounds from 2006 to 2011. 

Wilson was joined by Grace Boffeli (UNI), Grace Berg (Drake), Katie Dinnebier (Drake), Maya McDermott (UNI) and Katelyn Young (Murray State) on the Preseason All-Valley First Team. Boffeli earned Preseason Player of the Year honors.  

UNI earned the Valley crown in the preseason poll, taking home 33 of 48 first-place votes and 517 total points. Second-place Drake tallied 482 points and 12 first place votes to edge out Illinois State, who earned 433 points and a pair of first place votes. Belmont, who earned the final first place vote, tallied 401 points in fourth while Missouri State was tabbed fifth with 382 points. UIC (311 points), Murray State (308), Southern Illinois (295), Indiana State (200), Valparaiso (162), Evansville (137) and Bradley (116) rounded out the poll.  

The Redbirds, coming off a third consecutive postseason appearance under seventh-year head coach and reigning MVC Coach of the Year Kristen Gillespie, surround Wilson with a strong group of returners this season. That group is headlined by 2023 All-MVC Defensive Team selection Kate Bullman and redshirt senior point guard Maya Wong.  

Illinois State hosts Illinois Wesleyan Sunday at 1 p.m. in a crosstown preseason men's and women's basketball doubleheader inside CEFCU Arena. The regular season opens for Illinois State Nov. 6 at Omaha.  

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