April 16--The Illinois women's basketball team is losing its best player as center Chatrice White has decided to transfer.
Her father, Bob, said she had no negative experience at Illinois but is seeking a program in which she can develop her skills further and find more team success.
"She wants to have an opportunity to play in the postseason," Bob White said Friday. "She had a great experience with USA Basketball and likes the idea of diversifying her skills."
Earlier this week, the university settled a lawsuit filed in July by seven former players who had alleged racial discrimination by the coaching staff. White's father had vocally supported the coaches in the wake of the lawsuit.
That situation did not play a part in her decision, Bob White said.
The 6-foot-3 White came to Illinois from Shelby, Neb., as a heralded McDonald's All-American recruit. She averaged 18.7 points and 9.3 rebounds as a sophomore.
Transferring to another Big Ten school would require her to sit out two seasons, her father said, so White is looking at teams in the ACC, Pac-12 and Big 12.
"As of right now she's wide open," he said. "Probably teams that made the Sweet 16 or nearly made it."
Illinois finished 9-21 and 2-16 in the Big Ten in coach Matt Bollant's fourth season. The Illini have not qualified for the NCAA tournament in his tenure.
"We granted Chatrice White a release from the Illinois women's basketball program earlier this week and we wish her all the best in the future Bollant said in a short statement released through the university.
sryan@tribpub.com
