Richwoods grad moving up UIC’s career scoring list

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — When Jaida McCloud watches film, sometimes she sees two players wearing her jersey.

There’s a shy Jaida and a decisive Jaida.

“I have an alter ego, it’s called DJ. That stands for ‘Decisive Jaida’,’ said McCloud. “Going out there and being the player I need to be. Being decisive and not having to think about what I’m doing on the court.”

Lately, McCloud has been playing with purpose. She had a 13-point, 11-rebound, three-steal game over the weekend in an overtime loss to Southern Illinois.

“Jaida is a huge factor in our ability to be successful as a team. She knows that,” said UIC head coach Ashleeen Bracey. “When Jaida has a big night, the Flames are on the successful side of things.”

McCloud will tell you it’s been that way since she played at Richwoods High School and helped the Knights win a state championship. But since her high school days, she’s has quietly grown into a scorer a the college level

She moved into the top ten in career scoring at UIC this season. She has scored 1,327 points heading into this week’s Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.

She might be able to chase down UIC’s all-time scoring leader, Joanne McCarthy (1,805 points) next year.

“It’s a big goal. I didn’t know I was going to be at that level when I came in as a freshman,” said McCloud. “Now that I’m a senior, I definitely know that. And I have my COVID year (next year). I’m definitely going to be able to do (pursue) that.”

She credits a lot of her success in college to her alto ego DJ. She also credits her Peoria coaches and her upbringing in her hometown.

“C coming from Peoria and going to Chicago. Peoria’s not really small but since we have those people that support women’s basketball,” McCloud said. “I feel the (Peoria) love from everywhere.”

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