Jonelle Polk McCloud, Women’s Basketball • 1984-87

Jonelle Polk was named All-Big Ten three times, including twice to first team and once to second team. She twice was named Kodak All-District IV. Polk finished her UI career with a school-record 1,984 points, which held for 11 seasons and still ranks third. She was also school record holder with 933 rebounds for 17 years and still ranks fourth. Polk averaged a double-double at 17.9 points and 10.1 rebounds as a sophomore, while averaging more than 20 points per game as a junior and senior and still has two of the top six scoring seasons in school history. Polk also ranks sixth in school history with 135 blocked shots and has the third-most double-doubles with 40 during her Illini career. She was the 1987 Big Ten Medal of Honor winner. Following her collegiate career, Polk played professionally in Europe for four seasons. After returning, she received a master’s degree at Northern Illinois, serving as a graduate assistant for the Huskies. Polk McCloud currently resides in Peoria. Her Honored Jersey was hung at State Farm Center on Jan. 29. 2023.