Illini Add Rookie Lana Brenjo
May 27, 2026 | Women's Basketball
News
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Fighting Illini women's basketball head coach Shauna Green has announced the addition of Lana Brenjo to the program. Brenjo - a true freshman - has signed a Big Ten Athletics Aid Agreement with the University of Illinois and is set to join the program beginning with the 2026-27 season.
Brenjo is a 6-foot-4-inch player hailing from Nevesinje, Bosnia. She has represented Serbia at the 2024 and 2025 FIBA U18 Women's Eurobasket events as well as the 2023 FIBA U16 Women's European Championship and 2022 FIBA U16 Women's European Division Championship.
Brenjo has played on ŽKK Mega Superbet in Serbian 1 ZLS, a club based in Belgrade, Serbia, since 2022. During her 2025-26 season with the club, Brenjo averaged 7.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists across 27.8 minutes per game as a regular in the starting lineup. ŽKK Mega Superbet tallied a 16-8 record last season. She also played for Feniks W in Bosnia and Herzegovina's Prvenstvo BiH Women's league during the 2021-22 season.
The addition of Brenjo to the 2026-27 roster marks the fifth international Illini to join the squad.
Head Coach Shauna Green on the addition of Lana Brenjo:
"We are very excited to have Lana join our famILLy! She will bring great international experience to our team while adding size at the center position. We are excited to get her on campus and get to work!"
Lana Brenjo on why she chose Illinois:
"I'm very excited to officially become part of the Illinois family! I see Illinois as the perfect environment for my future growth and development, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn and improve alongside such great coaches and teammates. I'm looking forward to developing, competing, and being part of such a strong community."
