CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - Illinois Athletics announced today fifth-year guard Makira Cook and sophomore guard Gretchen Dolan will be out the remainder of the 2024-25 season while they manage health issues.
Head Coach Shauna Green says Cook is coping with a health condition, while Dolan suffered a knee injury that will take time to heal.
The losses could significantly impact the Illini's efforts to continue their strong season. The team carries an 11-4 record, coming off back-to-back losses for the first time this season as they enter the heart of Big Ten Play.
In eight games this season, Dolan averaged 10.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 0.9 steals while playing 24.3 minutes per game. Following the 2023-24 campaign, she was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team.
Cook's condition will bring an end to her historic career at Illinois. She tallied 66-percent of her career points total of 1,723 while wearing the orange and blue uniform. In 2023, she earned an AP All-American honorable mention status, was voted the Most Outstanding Player in the Illini's run to the WBIT title, and numerous other honors including a pair of All-Big Ten second team selections.
Cook will hold several spots in the Illinois women's basketball record books. She sits atop the all-time free throw percentage list, hitting 85.3-percent of her shots from the line during her career. Cook ranks tied for 12th on both the career made 3-point field goal and career 3-point field goal percentage lists.
This season, Cook had been averaging 11.9 points, 3.6 assists, 1.9 rebounds in eight appearances. She last saw game action on December 8, 2024, in a loss to then #12 Ohio State.
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