Chambana Sun

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini women's basketball head coach Shauna Green has announced the addition of walk-on Mia Zenere to the program. Zenere, a true freshman, is set to join the team beginning with the 2024-25 season.

Zenere is a 5-foot 11-inch guard from Mokena, Illinois. As a freshman, she attended Lincoln-Way Central High School, where she played basketball and competed in track and field. She finished her prep career at Example Academy in Frankfort, Illinois, where she helped the Eagles secure three consecutive Independent High School Gold Division national championships.

In her senior year (2023-24), Zenere served as team captain, participated in the Grind Session All Star Game, earned a McDonald's All-American nomination, and was named to the conference's All-Academic Team.

During her junior season (2022-23), Zenere and Fighting Illini teammate Jasmine Brown-Hagger were teammates at Example Academy. Over her career at Example Academy, Zenere averaged 13.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.2 steals per game.

Zenere also competed in track & field at Lincoln-Way Central as a freshman, winning the 2021 conference championship in triple jump while earning All-Conference honors in high jump and 300-meter hurdles as LWC won the SWSC Team Championship.

Head Coach Shauna Green commented on Zenere's addition: "I am very excited to welcome Mia into our FamILLy! She is someone who is very eager to join our program and represent her home state, which is extremely important to us. She is a hard worker and a person of high character that will help push us to be better every single day. We can't wait for her to get on the court with us."

Mia Zenere expressed her enthusiasm about joining Illinois: "I'm very excited to be joining the Illini family and playing college basketball at the highest level! I can't wait to get to work at my new home and play for a great team. Being here is a dream come true and I can't wait to make my home state proud!"