SIU Women’s Basketball Adds Fredriecka Wallace to 2026 Class
- – Southern Illinois University (SIU) Women’s Basketball has announced the signing of Fredriecka Wallace, a 6-foot-2 power forward, to their 2026-27 recruiting class.
- The addition of Wallace was announced on Wednesday, April 2, 2026, by Saluki head coach Kelly Bond-White.
- Wallace’s journey to SIU is notable, as the coaching staff previously attempted to recruit her out of junior college.
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois University (SIU) Women’s Basketball has announced the signing of Fredriecka Wallace, a 6-foot-2 power forward, to their 2026-27 recruiting class. Wallace will join the Salukis as a junior transfer student after previously attending the University of Arizona.
The addition of Wallace was announced on Wednesday, April 2, 2026, by Saluki head coach Kelly Bond-White. According to riverradiosportscentral.com, Wallace brings a “strong veteran presence” to the team.
Wallace’s journey to SIU is notable, as the coaching staff previously attempted to recruit her out of junior college. “We had her on campus out of junior college but lost her at the last minute to Kansas,” Coach Bond-White stated, as reported by riverradiosportscentral.com. She is currently enrolled at SIU, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology & Criminal Justice within the School of Justice & Public Safety.
Junior College Standout
Prior to her time at Arizona and Kansas, Wallace established herself as a dominant force at Butler Community College. She earned NJCAA All-American honors twice and finished her career as the Grizzlies’ all-time leading scorer with 1,138 points. During her sophomore season, she averaged 18.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. As a freshman, she was named the Jayhawk Conference Freshman of the Year.
Wallace’s versatility as a forward is expected to be a valuable asset to the Saluki roster. She is described as a “dynamic, versatile forward capable of playing multiple positions” who can “score efficiently and rebound at a high level.”
Transfer History and Future Impact
Wallace spent the 2024-25 season at the University of Kansas but did not compete due to medical reasons. Her arrival at SIU allows her to familiarize herself with the team’s system during the offseason. Coach Bond-White highlighted the positive impact of current players – Laniah Randle, Gift Uchenna, Jeniah Thompson, and Indy Green – on Wallace’s decision, noting that she was impressed by their success within the Saluki program.
“Our staff’s relationships brought Freddie back to Carbondale,” Coach Bond-White explained. “She could see the development of Laniah [Randle], portal transfers Gift [Uchenna], Jeniah [Thompson], and now Indy [Green] consistently excel at her positions in our system.”
The addition of Wallace is expected to anchor the 2026 recruiting class for the Salukis. The team’s official athletics page, siusalukis.com, announced Wallace’s signing on April 1, 2026, marking a significant boost to the program’s roster.
Southern Illinois Women’s Basketball recently concluded its regular season and participated in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, bowing out in the first round against Indiana State on March 12, 2026. The team also saw Kraus earn All-MVC Third Team honors, and Ngoyi, Kraus, and Allen were named All-MVC Scholar-Athletes.
The Salukis finished the regular season with a win on March 8, 2026, against Evansville, but ultimately fell to Belmont on March 2, 2026, with a score of 83-64.
Fans can follow the Saluki Women’s Basketball team on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SalukiWBasketball/ and find more information on the official SIU Athletics website at https://siusalukis.com/sports/womens-basketball.