After two seasons with Illinois, sophomore center Hayven Smith has entered the transfer portal, according to Talia Goodman on X.

In her freshman season, the Frankfort, Illinois, native played 17 games and averaged 5.4 minutes, 0.8 points, 1.4 rebounds, 0.2 assists and 0.1 blocks. She was the tallest forward on the team at 6-foot-6, and her height gave Illinois advantages in frontcourt matchups.

However, her role decreased in her sophomore season. Smith’s stats dropped to only 3.4 minutes, 0.1 points, 0.5 rebounds, 0 assists and 0.05 blocks per game.

One reason Smith was utilized less was the return of redshirt sophomore center Lety Vasconcelos. The Brazilian returned from an ACL tear that sidelined her during Smith’s freshman year. While the Illini will be losing Smith’s height, Vasconcelos is 6-foot-7 and has had better stats in her first Illinois season. In 12.2 minutes per game, Vasconcelos averaged 3.5 points, 0.4 assists, 3.1 rebounds and totaled 18 blocks and seven steals this past season. 

The Illini also still have freshman forward Naomi Benson, who averaged 3.5 minutes, 0.7 points, 0.1 assists, one rebound and 0.14 blocks. At 6-foot-2, Benson is shorter than Smith and Vasconcelos, but she has shown a lot of growth over the season and has become a strong defender. The loss of Smith means the Illini lose the height advantage, but still have plenty of frontcourt options.

@briedirl

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