In case there was any doubt, the current status of Illinois women's basketball certainly isn't ideal. The exodus continued on Friday morning when Chatrice White -- who's by far and away the team's best player -- announced her intent to transfer. The sophomore forward was a Second Team All-Big Ten selection after averaging 18.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game in 2016.
Second transfer this week a big hit for #Illini women's basketball. https://t.co/aXs3d25JXr pic.twitter.com/0TTaiiIUVR
— IlliniHQ (@IlliniHQ) April 15, 2016
White was Matt Bollant's most prized recruit to date. The Nebraska native came to Champaign as a McDonald's All-American in 2014, and was on pace to become one of the best players in program history.
As things stand now, the Fighting Illini will return only five players from their 2015-16 roster. Bollant somehow recruited a group of five players to join them, but he still has five open scholarships to fill before the season begins.
Illinois (9-21, 2-16) finished dead-last in the Big Ten this season.
On Tuesday morning, the University of Illinois reached a $375,000 settlement with a group of former women's basketball players. The original lawsuit came about after allegations of player abuse and discrimination by the coaching staff arose last Spring.
Despite all of this, Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman gave Bollant the following vote of confidence shortly after being hired.
I’m excited about the future of @IlliniWBB under the leadership of @CoachBollant. #Illini #WeWillWin pic.twitter.com/n2sUzsJbZZ
— Josh Whitman (@IlliniAD) March 23, 2016