NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State Women's Basketball Head Coach Kristen Gillespie landed a fourth addition in the transfer portal, with De'Shawnti Thomas (Old Dominion) joining for the 2024-2025 campaign.
"We are so excited to welcome De'Shawnti into our Redbird family," Gillespie said. "She is a dynamic guard who can play multiple positions. Our staff knew we needed a big guard who could score, defend, and rebound and we found that in Da'Shawnti."
Thomas comes to Illinois State from Old Dominion, where she sat out the 2023-24 year due to injury. She previously spent the two seasons at Seward County CC, helping the Lady Saints reach the Region 6 Semifinals as a freshman in 2021-22
Thomas appeared in 62 games across two seasons for Seward County, where she started 34 games. Thomas started 29 of 31 contests in her sophomore campaign, averaging 11.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game for the Saints. She recorded six double-doubles and reached double-figure scoring 22 times, including a season-high 25 points vs Pratt CC, 95-86 Jan. 18.
She adds to a strong core for Illinois State next year, which will be highlighted by All-MVC Freshman Team selection Shannon Dowell and veteran point guard Maya Wong. Former NCAA Division III National Player of the Year Elyce Knudsen (Millikin), Addi Martin (Abilene Christian) and All-MVC Freshman team selection Nevaeh Thomas (Evansville) are also set to transfer to Illinois State for the upcoming campaign.
The Redbirds are coming off a WNIT Super 16 appearance last year, which marked the program's fourth-straight bid in the postseason. Illinois State earned a 20-win campaign for the second-straight season, the first time since 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 that Illinois State has secured 20-win seasons in consecutive campaigns.
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