Lexi Baltes admits academics were not at the forefront of her college selection process.

“The one thing I knew for sure was that I wanted to play basketball in college,” the former St. Charles East standout said. “That was kind of priority No. 1. I chose Illinois Wesleyan because I wanted to win a national championship and they gave me the best opportunity to do that. … That’s the ultimate for somebody like me. It doesn’t get any better than that.”

To be sure, Baltes, a 5-foot-7 junior guard, helped the Titans win the NCAA Division III national championship last season.