League: NCAAW Sport: College Sports Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Manuella Alves shares excitement in return to Illinois basketball practice

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 24, 2026, 2:47 PM

Last updated Jul 24, 2026

College Sports

Summary

Manuella Alves spoke to reporters at the Ubben Basketball Complex in Champaign on July 24, expressing her joy at returning to the Illinois women's basketball team after recovering from a torn ACL. Alves missed the entire 2025-26 season due to her injury but has been cleared for full participation in 5-on-5 practices this summer. Her energetic presence has made an impact on her teammates and led coach Shauna Green to temper Alves's intense efforts at times. Alves and teammate Lety Vasconcelos, who also faced a similar injury, are pushing each other to improve as they prepare for the upcoming season, which begins in over three months.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•Manuella Alves was cleared for full practice this summer after ACL recovery.
•Coach Shauna Green has slowed Alves's intense training approach during practices.
•Alves's return positively affects teammates' physicality and competitiveness.
•Alves and Lety Vasconcelos share a history of overcoming ACL injuries.
•Illinois women's basketball practices continue until early August.

Latest Updates

2:47 PMYahoo Sports — Alves happy to 'express herself' on court again in return from injury

What they're saying

"
Jul. 24—CHAMPAIGN — Lety Vasconcelos gave a preview of what to expect minutes before Manuella Alves met with reporters in the lobby of Ubben Basketball Complex early Tuesday afternoon. Vasconcelos said her fellow Brazilian teammate on the Illinois women's basketball team had what she described as a "big personality." Alves didn't disappoint, either, when it was her turn to answer questions for ...
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

NCAAW College Sports