Chambana Sun

Fighting Illini women's basketball team has announced the addition of Lety Vasconcelos, a sophomore transfer from Baylor University. Vasconcelos has signed a Big Ten Tender of Financial Aid with the University of Illinois and will join the program for the 2024-25 season.

Standing at 6-foot-7, Vasconcelos hails from Miguel Calmon, Bahia, Brazil. In her freshman year at Baylor, she played in 17 games off the bench, averaging 1.1 points and 2.1 rebounds over 99 minutes. The Bears finished their season with a record of 26-8 and reached the Sweet 16 before losing to USC.

Vasconcelos completed her final two years of high school at Montverde Academy in Florida, where she was ranked No. 6 in her position and No. 36 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz for the class of 2023. She helped lead Montverde to back-to-back GEICO High School National Championships alongside former teammate Cori Allen.

During her senior year at Montverde, Vasconcelos averaged 6.6 rebounds and one block per game, contributing to a record-breaking regular season of 24-1 for the school in the 2022-23 campaign.

Before attending Montverde Academy, Vasconcelos studied at Holy Spirit Prep in Atlanta and Hamilton Heights Christian Academic in Chattanooga.

She is also an accomplished member of the Brazilian national team, having won the South American Championship in 2020.

Head coach Shauna Green expressed enthusiasm about Vasconcelos joining Illinois: "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... Lety brings size, great hands...and will add great rim protection with her ability to block shots."

Vasconcelos shared her excitement about joining Illinois: "I'm super excited to join the Illini family! The idea of playing in the Big Ten truly fascinates me... I can't wait to get back on campus with my new teammates and get to work!"