Chambana Sun

Illinois Women's Basketball Head Coach Shauna Green has announced the signing of Naomi Benson to the Fighting Illini program. Benson, a native of Streetsboro, Ohio, will join the team next season after completing a Big Ten Athletics Scholarship Agreement during the National Signing Period.

Benson is a 6'2" forward from Streetsboro High School. She played a significant role in her high school's first sectional championship in 36 years as a freshman and led them to their first league and district titles. ESPNW's HoopGurlz ranks her as a four-star recruit at No. 98.

Her accolades include being named First Team All-Ohio, Metro Conference Player of the Year, First Team All-District, Tri-County Underclassman of the Year, and Team MVP during her junior year in 2023-24. Her previous honors also include similar recognitions during her sophomore and freshman years.

Benson's high school statistics are notable: in 2023-24 she averaged 16.2 points per game (PPG), 11.5 rebounds per game (RPG), with other contributions across assists, steals, blocks, and field goal percentage.

Born on October 3, 2006, Benson comes from a family with basketball ties; her brother Nehemiah plays for Binghamton. She also plays for Sport City Angels EYBL club team.

Explaining her choice to join Illinois, Benson said: "I chose the University of Illinois because when I visited, I fell in love with the university and family feel! I also love that there is a lot of talent I'm going to be around every day to get better!"

Coach Green expressed enthusiasm about Benson joining the team: "Naomi Benson is another great addition to our family... Naomi rebounds, she runs the floor at an elite level and brings versatility... She's going to add a lot of different things that we have not had, and I'm super excited about her and her future here at Illinois."