Over the past two years, Benet basketball star Lenee Beaumont was heavily recruited by dozens of Division I schools.
But Indiana stood out to her, and not just because the school colors are the same as those worn by the Redwings.
“I constantly felt like I was somebody they seriously wanted for their program,” Beaumont said. “They would always say there are some schools that throw out 15 offers in each recruiting class and just take whoever they get.
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“But Indiana just gives out maybe three offers, and if they don’t get those three, they’ll give out more. They were constantly showing an interest in me.”
That effort paid off Wednesday night when Beaumont committed to the Hoosiers.
The 6-foot guard will become the sixth Benet girl to play in the Big Ten when she enrolls in fall 2023, joining Jordan Wilson (Wisconsin), Kaitlin McInerney (Northwestern), Kathleen Doyle (Iowa), Brooke Schramek (Wisconsin) and Kendall Moriarity (Nebraska).
“It’s super exciting,” Beaumont said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to play anywhere in Division I basketball.
“But the Big Ten gets a lot of media and recognition, so that’s super exciting. And I’ll get to play against some of my former teammates as well.”
Indeed, Beaumont will be the third player — along with Schramek and Moriarty — from Benet’s 2019-20 team to play in the Big Ten. The Redwings are 70-9 during Beaumont’s career.
As a junior, Beaumont averaged 14.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists in leading Benet (30-5) to a fourth-place finish in Class 4A. She was the East Suburban Catholic Conference’s player of the year and first team all-state.
Indiana’s coaching staff, particularly associate head coach Rhet Wierzba, visited Benet several times to watch Beaumont practice and also attended a few games.
“They would surprise me,” Beaumont said. “There was one day when I turned a corner and they were sitting there ready to watch our practice, which I thought was pretty cool.”
Even bad weather failed to deter Indiana’s coaches. They drove through a snowstorm to watch Benet rout Joliet Catholic 64-30.
“There’s been plenty of times where coaches come to my games, but all four coaches on the staff came to watch us play Joliet Catholic,” Beaumont said. “That wasn’t the most exciting game, but they felt like they needed to do that.”
That kind of effort dovetails with Beaumont’s driven approach. Benet coach Joe Kilbride marvels at her work ethic.
“We’ve had to kick her out of the gym,” Kilbride said. “She came back to the gym once after a game this year and we happened to still be there sitting around talking.
“She had missed a few free throws, so at 11 o’clock she was in the gym saying, ‘I have to shoot some free throws.’ I’m like, ‘Get out of here.’ She’s a kick-her-out-of-the-gym kid, not a beg-her-to-get-in-the-gym kid.”
Beaumont said that happened a few times this year, including after she shot 3-for-9 from the line in a 55-51 win over Naperville North in the sectional final.
“Also after our Carmel loss, I stayed after,” Beaumont said. “Coach Kilbride had to steal the basketballs from me.”
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Beaumont will be joining a program that has made the NCAA Tournament the past three seasons. The Hoosiers (24-9) lost this year to UConn in the Sweet 16.
Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, DePaul, Tennessee and Alabama also were high on Beaumont’s list.
“I’m excited for her,” Kilbride said. “She’s a multidimensional player and she’s a worker. That really translates.”
Beaumont said her approach won’t change.
“I was so ecstatic realizing my dream has come true,” Beaumont said. “I’ve worked so hard to be able to have this opportunity.
“I obviously still have a lot to work on, but it’s just great knowing I’ve found my second home.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.