JuJu Redmond Running it Back With the Redbirds

Image courtesy of goredbirds.com

NORMAL, ILL. – Illinois State Women’s basketball star JuJu Redmond will be taking her extra year of NCAA eligibility and will return for her final season with the Redbirds. After spending her first two year at Tallahassee Community College Redmond has blossomed into an excellent two-way player for Illinois State. She looks to finish her Redbird career in style.

“Next season I’m looking to be great, and I want to be more than just all-MVC,” said Redmond. “I’m trying to go for player of the year and at least get on the defensive team next year too. I just want to have the best season next year, go out with a bang.”

Topping her 2020 season will be no easy task. The Chicago, Illinois native led her squad with 13.9 points per game which was good for eighth in the conference. She was also the only player to finish in the top ten within the Missouri Valley Conference in points per game (13.9), rebounds per game (6.1), and assists per game (2.8). 

The all conference first teamer’s breakout season propelled the Redbirds to a 16-9 record and an eventual WNIT playoff berth. It was the program’s most successful season since 2013. In a unique season, Redmond attributes the team’s success to the player’s competitiveness and chemistry.

“The motivation and the will to want to play and want to win and we enjoyed being around each other this season,” says Redmond. “Due to a lot of adversity we went through and the shutdowns I feel like on the court we started to come together. I feel like that’s what willed us to have a better season.”   

Redmond will return to a squad that brings back sharpshooter Mary Crompton and slashing guard Terrion Moore. Sophomore Deanna Wilson played her way into a starting role at the end of the campaign and emerged as an inside post presence. But at the head of the snake for Illinois State Redbirds this season will be the senior, #23, JuJu Redmond.