Southern Illinois University announced on Apr. 24 the signing of guard Shakara McCline, a native of East St. Louis, to its women’s basketball team for the 2026 season.
The addition of McCline brings experience and local talent to the Salukis as they prepare for upcoming NCAA Division I competitions. The Southern Illinois Salukis women’s basketball program participates in NCAA Division I and is a member of the Missouri Valley Conference, according to the official website.
Head coach Kelly Bond-White said, “Shakara is a competitor plain and simple. She’s been tested at a high level and knows what it takes to show up every day and produce. She’s a true three-level scorer who can impact the game on both ends disrupting ball handlers, jumping passing lanes, and creating offense. What excites me most is her growth, her hunger, and how ‘LIVE’, her nickname, she is she wants to push tempo and play with pace. Bringing someone home who understands this region and takes pride in it adds a different level of toughness to our program. Her familiarity with competing against and alongside some of our players will allow her to mesh right away, and I believe we’re going to have a fun crowd coming down I-57 to support her.”
McCline previously played for DePaul University in the Big East Conference where she appeared in over 70 games with multiple starts. She led her team by shooting 36 percent from three-point range and 80 percent from the free throw line last season. A highlight performance included scoring 25 points against UIC—a Missouri Valley Conference opponent—demonstrating both offensive skills and defensive presence.
Before college, McCline was recognized as one of the top guards in her region during her time at East St. Louis High School where she scored more than 1,500 career points including several games with over 40 points.
The Southern Illinois Salukis women’s basketball team operates from Carbondale, Illinois according to the official website and hosts home games at Banterra Center according to the official website. The program competes at NCAA Division I level according to the official website as part of its ongoing commitment within collegiate athletics.
