Illinois lost one guard Friday, but it gained another.

Eboni Mitchell, a 5-foot-7 point guard from Southwest DeKalb in Decatur, Ga., made an oral commitment to play for Jolette Law's Illini next season. Mitchell is expected to make it official during the spring signing period that begins Wednesday.

Mitchell – whose final list reportedly included Indiana and Temple – is a three-star recruit by HoopGurlz.com. She was named a second-team all-stater in Class 4A (second-largest classification) by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Mitchell fortifies a position of need for the Illini, who lost senior Rebecca Harris to graduation and junior Lori Bjork to transfer. Mitchell figures to battle redshirting freshman Lydia McCully and incoming freshman Fabiola Josil of Coral Springs, Fla., for backcourt playing time.

Mitchell had 12 points, 10 assists and six steals in the Panthers' (31-2) Class 4A title-game victory against Fayette County. Mitchell had 32 points and 10 assists in a semifinal victory.