​The 2026-27 Illinois women’s basketball roster under Shauna Green is nearly finalized, and over the coming weeks we’ll take a closer look at each of the 14 players comprising Green’s fifth Illini squad. One of the newer additions is a 6-foot-4 forward from Nevesinje, Bosnia, Brenjo, who stands out as a notable piece of the frontcourt puzzle. Last season she played a pivotal role for ZKK Mega Superbet in the Serbia-1 ZLS league, appearing in 24 games for the Belgrade-based club. She averaged 7.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.5 blocks per contest, while shooting 48.6 percent from the floor and 26.2 percent from three-point range.
The path to her role in Illinois’ rotation isn’t entirely straightforward. On paper, Green’s team enters the season with perhaps the deepest frontcourt in his tenure as Illini coach, making Brenjo’s fit something to watch carefully. At 19 years old, she will be tested against more established players in the rotation, competing for minutes alongside other talented frontcourt options. Her development and contribution will be interesting to monitor as she transitions to the Big Ten level and adjusts to the demands of coaching and competition in a new program.
The decision to add Brenjo to Illinois’ roster continues a trend Green mirrored with his men’s basketball program, as the Illini have looked toward the Balkans to recruit talent. Brenjo is represented by the same top-tier agent who handles several current Illini players, including others in Croatia and Montenegro, underscoring a strategic approach to talent acquisition that crosses borders. As Illinois continues to shape its 2026-27 lineup, Brenjo’s early call-up and potential minutes will be a focal point for fans and analysts eager to gauge how Green’s international recruiting philosophy translates to on-court impact in women’s college basketball.