Wallace thriving amid more prominent role with Illini as freshman

CHAMPAIGN Berry Wallace had a choice to make in early November.

It wasnt one with a straightforward, easy answer, either.

A right hand injury the freshman forward on the Illinois womens basketball team sustained after the Illinis season-opening win against Florida State created that scenario.

Wallace had the option to sit out for six weeks or get hand surgery and effectively cut that downtime almost in half.

Wallace chose the latter, and thats worked out just fine for the former five-star recruit and McDonalds All-American.

Even if Wallace wasnt completely sure how it would all play out after visiting with a hand specialist and opting for surgery.

Definitely really nervous, Wallace said.

I didnt know how confident I would be or how much I would play.

Definitely a lot of emotions.

I had never really been hurt that much in my career throughout high school.

Just nervous.

I didnt know what was coming next and didnt know how my role would fit in on the team.

It ended up working out.

Yes, it has.

Wallace continues to thrive as a spark off the bench for the Illini (16-5, 6-4 Big Ten) ahead of a noon tip on Sunday at No.

14 Maryland (17-4, 7-3) with Illinois seeking its first win in program history against the Terrapins.

Maryland leads the series 17-0.

Since returning from a month-long absence her first game back was Dec.

8 at Ohio State, with Wallace growing up just 20 miles away from Columbus in Pickerington, Ohio the 6-foot-1 forward has been one of Illinois most consistent contributors.

So much so that Wallaces minutes, and role, have increased.

The freshman is currently in the midst of her best stretch with the Illini, averaging 10.4 points during the past seven games.

That included 16 points on 7 of 11 shooting with four rebounds and one blocked shot on Monday night in Illinois 74-38 rout of Purdue at State Farm Center.

Its that kind of production that Wallaces teammates have seen coming for weeks.

They have witnessed first-hand how Wallace has steadily developed confidence in the practice gym at Ubben Basketball Complex.

Berrys an amazing player, Illinois senior forward Brynn Shoup-Hill said.

She can really score the ball.

Honestly, in games, shes only scratched the surface of what she can do.

Shes been so valuable to this team.

I love playing with her.

For Illini coach Shauna Green, Wallaces big moment arrived Jan.

16 at Indiana where she didnt look like a freshman anymore, Green said.

Wallace scoring five straight points in the fourth quarter after the Hoosiers rallied came at a key time in Illinois 68-54 road victory against the Hoosiers, one of two Quad I wins the Illini have on their resume this season.

Im really, really happy with her growth and her progress and just how she continues to get better, Green said.

The amount of time shes put into watching film, getting into the gym to get extra shots (and) working on her overall game.

Shes going to be a great, great player here and really happy with her.

But that progress hasnt been without its struggles for Wallace.

An injury was one aspect.

But Wallace has also had to pick her spots to shine.

Even as a highly-touted recruit, Wallace knew she was joining a veteran Illinois team.

A challenge for anyone.

Let alone a first-year player adjusting to college basketball and living away from home for the first time.

Thats where the Indiana game was a significant moment for Wallace.

Even if it was just one game in the course of a four-plus month season.

That was definitely really big, Wallace said.

It was encouraging to see the work that Ive been putting in has been helping.

Just the confidence, again.

As a freshman, you come in and youre kind of hesitant.

You dont want to step on anyones toes or things like that, take the ball, mess up the play and just try to drive.

I think that was big.

Everyone kind of saw that in me and was really excited for me.

Thats been all part of a process of pouring as much confidence into Wallace as possible.

Thats been the task of the Illini coaching staff.

Whats also become important is how Wallace has leaned on the expertise of Illinois most experienced players.

Like Kendall Bostic.

Or Shoup-Hill.

But also Adalia McKenzie and Genesis Bryant, too.

Soaking up knowledge of those veteran players.

Watching them in practice with Green and Co.

moving Wallace over to work with Illinois backcourt players now that theyre relying on the freshmans versatility.

Versatility thats proven beneficial since the Illinis numbers have taken a hit.

Guards Makira Cook and Gretchen Dolan were ruled out for the season in early January, with Cook having an ongoing medical condition, and Dolan sidelined with a knee injury.

The Illini roster also lost center Lety Vasconcelos before the season with a knee injury and forward Shay Bollin has yet to play in a game this season because of an ongoing back injury.

Still, the wheels were set in motion for all of Wallaces progression back in November.

That Wallace would be out for some time with an injury allowed her the chance to study the game from a different perspective.

That time away is paying dividends now.

Even if it was hard to accept at first.

I took a lot of time to learn the mental part of the game.

Wallace said.

It was really tough battling an injury.

Even though it didnt seem like that big of an injury I could still run on the sideline and things like that it was really hard for me because I had never really experienced a big injury where I had to sit out for multiple games.

I think I just learned that everything is going to be fine.

Not everything is as big as you make it seem.

Just remembering that and trying to learn as much as I could off the court.

I think I did.

My coaches worked with me a lot, even though I was hurt and just trying to make sure I was right on track when I came back.

I think I was..

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