Alanna Phillipo ’24 Signs NLI with Eastern Illinois University

Alanna Phillipo, a senior from Millbury, Massachusetts, signed her National Letter of Intent to play basketball for Eastern Illinois University on Saturday, November 11.

 

Phillipo has led the Marianapolis basketball team to extraordinary heights. Last year, she averaged 12 points, led the team in averaging 7.5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks per game, and a 3-point shooting efficiency competing in the NEPSAC AA.

 

“I have been around basketball my whole life but didn't start playing competitively until 5th grade,” said Phillipo. “I enjoy basketball because it is my safe place and I am at peace when I am on the court. I also really enjoy competing and being a part of a team.”

 

Throughout Phillipo’s basketball career at Marianapolis, she shares that “the community [has] definitely [been] one of my favorite things about Marianapolis. The family-like atmosphere [has been] really special and I know that in tough times there are many people who have my back and are there to support me.”

 

Phillipo has made lots of wonderful basketball memories and shares that, “one standout memory from my time at Marianapolis would be the overnight trip last year for the Storm King tournament. It was early in the season, so we didn't know each other that well, but that trip made us closer.”

 

Girls’ Varsity Basketball head coach Wes Howard said, “Alanna has been a true culture-setter for us; she may well be the hardest-working athlete that I’ve ever worked with and has lifted younger players up to her level of preparation. She is certainly talented, but she has become an elite player through force of will and complete dedication to her craft. Alanna has earned every opportunity she has received. We couldn’t be prouder of the student-athlete she is, and she’s an even better person than that. We’ll be tremendously excited to follow her career at Eastern Illinois once the work of this school year and season [is] done.”

 

On signing with Eastern Illinois, Phillipo said, “I am excited to play for EIU because of the great coaching staff and team. I am also excited to compete at a high level and create lifelong relationships as well as grow as a person and a player.”