Carbondale Reporter

Two members of the Southern Illinois University women's basketball team, Indya Green and Alayna Kraus, have been named to the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Players to Watch list for the upcoming season.

Indya Green, a graduate student, is joining the Salukis after playing last season at Georgia Southern. During her time with the Eagles, Green played in all 34 games and averaged 12 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, which was second in the Sun Belt Conference. She also ranked third in field goal percentage in the conference at 45.2%.

"Indya is the grit this team needed," said head coach Kelly Bond-White. "She set a tone early during boot camp by attacking her conditioning. She's constantly crediting her teammates for creating a positive culture, which has helped her thrive early. She has set the example but is not afraid to literally push her teammates toward our standard of excellence."

Green previously played two seasons at Missouri State in the MVC. As a junior in 2023-24, she earned MVC All-Tournament honors and was named MVC Newcomer of the Week on December 12, 2022. In her freshman year at Moberly Area Community College, she averaged 18.9 points and 11.4 rebounds per game and received WBCA and NJCAA All-American honors as well as First-Team All-Region and All-Conference recognition.

Alayna Kraus transfers to SIU following her freshman season at Oral Roberts University where she appeared in 15 games, averaging 3.3 points per game while shooting 42.4% from the field and 38.5% from three-point range. Kraus is originally from Okawville, Illinois.

"Alayna is one of the more efficient guards I have had the opportunity to coach," said Coach Bond-White. "I love the pace at which she plays. She's unselfish and constantly looking for ways to improve."

The Salukis will begin their season on November 4 with a home game against Lewis University.