A record-setting 43-point win in front of 18,000 people has got to feel sweet. But that win coming the night before you get married – that’s a dream. For Ben Humrichous though, it wasn’t a dream; it was reality.
The graduate student forward walked off the court on Monday in St. Louis with a huge smile on his face after Illinois secured Braggin’ Rights over Missouri. In less than 24 hours, Humrichous would be a married man, tying the knot with former Illini women’s basketball star Adalia McKenzie on Tuesday.
“I told the boys after probably once we started preparing for these guys, I was like, ‘Guys, I really need you to lock in here,’” Humrichous said. “Like, this is a group effort, but I’m like, ‘Do it for a brother, and do it for this team moving forward. But I really need a good win.’”
Humrichous first met McKenzie back in 2024 when he arrived in Champaign as a fifth-year transfer, looking to make his mark at a high-major program. At the time, McKenzie was a senior, and the two met in the shared space of their teams’ practice facility.
“Training room at Ubben (Basketball Complex) was when I met Adalia,” Humrichous said. “I heard her name all summer right when I first got to Illinois. It was one of those things where you’re like, ‘I’ve got to figure out about her.’ One of the funny stories is she actually DM’ed me and invited me to (Fellowship of Christian Athletes). So she will always claim that she took the first move. I never saw the message, so I’m going to take the first one on that.”
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Fast forward one year, and Humrichous was down on one knee, proposing to McKenize in October just ahead of his sixth season beginning. McKenzie, who finished her career college career in the 2024-25 season, said yes, and the two went ahead planning a wedding amidst one of the busiest times in Humrichous’ life.
Humrichous was diving into another season that would last until April, and after that, he would be turning pro after exhausting all of his collegiate eligibility. At that point, anything could happen over the following months. He could be participating in pre-draft workouts, playing on an NBA Summer League team, moving to a G League market anywhere in the country or heading overseas to pursue opportunities in Europe.
Without any certainty and because of the importance the couple puts on faith and community, Humrichous and McKenzie made the decision to fast-track the wedding to right around the holidays, one of the small windows of opportunity during the college season.
“I had somebody from church come to me and say, ‘You could do it in April, and you could get married and you’ll just get shipped away to whatever,’” Humrichous said. “‘Or you could get married in December, January, find a time. And you’ll be able to spend some time in community. You’ll have your church around you. You’ll have your team. That will be the familiarity.’”
Just one day after the Illini’s big win and on the start of a three-day Christmas break for the team, Humrichous and McKenzie officially tied the knot on Tuesday in Champaign. They were surrounded by friends, family, teammates and coaches from both programs. Humrichous shared just how instrumental McKenzie has been to him off the court, just as much as her experience of also being a college hooper has been able to support him on the court.
“She’s been such a blessing to me,” Humrichous said. “We could talk about the basketball stuff, about the moments after tough games when you go home. Or even the celebrations. She’s one of my biggest fans. But then off the court, she encourages me, she points me to Jesus when I’m having a hard time. I mean, she’s incredible.”
@sahil_mittal24
