Sun Devils counting on new players to contribute
Less than a week into full preseason practice, Charli Turner Thorne already is expecting major contributions from more than half of her large incoming class.
That’s born in part of necessity since seven of ASU’s 14 players are new. But also due to talent in a recruiting class
ranked as high as No. 6 nationally (Blue Star Report) even before two late additions. This is the tallest and one of the largest classes in ASU history.
Freshmen Jaddan Simmons and Katelyn Levings are headed for immediate playing time — if not starting — with junior college transfer Gabriela Bosquez and freshman Maggie Besselink, once healthy, not far behind.
Freshman 6-4 center Imogen Greenslade from Australia also could have a role particularly because 6-3 Keeli Burton-Oliver is likely to redshirt due to a pre-existing condition.
“Jaddan looks amazing,” Turner Thorne said. “Jaddan and Katelyn are so skilled. Gabi is hard-nosed, skilled. She’s going to help us a ton. Maggie is going to be very good for us then we’ve got to get Imogen ready to defend and rebound.”
Besselink, a 6-3 guard/forward from Canada, is recovering from ankle surgery and not expected to play until mid- or late December.
“She’s going to be impactful for us,” Turner Thorne said. “We’re kind of playing this position-less game right now. We’ve always done well with positionless players, but now it’s almost our style. We’re kind of playing everybody everywhere. She may have to guard some forwards, but she’ll play all over.”
Simmons is a 5-9 guard from Green Bay, Wisconsin, who will help to fill the loss of guards Reili Richardson, Robbi Ryan and Kiara Russell. Her father Jason played football on ASU’s 1996 Pac-10 championship team.
The Sun Devils also are replacing post players Ja’Tavia Tapley and Jamie Ruden off a 20-11 team that would have made the NCAA Tournament if not for the pandemic postseason cancellation.
Levings is a 6-3 forward from Oklahoma. Simmons and Levings are rated No. 37 and 43 nationally in the Blue Star class of 2020.
Forward Jayde Van Hyfte is the only returning starter, although guard Taya Hanson made 12 starts last season primarily to cover for Russell injuries.
Juniors Hanson and Iris Mbulito are the most experienced guards. Mbulito broke her leg and injured her ankle in a skateboard accident over the summer but could be ready to play when the season begins Nov. 25.
Sophomore guard
Sydnei
Caldwell has been cleared in her recovery from micro fracture surgery and is working her way back to full contact practice.
Forward Eboni Walker is looking to build on a solid freshman season and to expand her game to small forward because ASU has bigger post options.
Guard Jamie Loera, who played just 12 games in her first two seasons due to injuries, could provide 3-point shooting. Other guard depth comes from senior Bre’yanna Sanders and freshman Sydney Erikstrup.
ASU will open its season with a home multi-team event that includes Saint Mary’s (California) as one of three opponents. The Sun Devils also are planning for a home game Dec. 5 or 6 before beginning a 22-game (up from 18) Pac-12 season on Dec. 11.
The Sun Devils originally planned to open the season at home against Notre Dame, but that changed due to COVID issues.
ASU has made a school record six consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, twice reaching the Sweet 16 in that span.
Anderson on Final Four success
ASU Vice President for Athletics Ray Anderson was co-chairman of the bid committee for the ’26 Women’s Final Four, awarded to Phoenix last week.
He credits co-chair Brooke Todare, a former ASU golfer, Stephanie Jarvis and Visit Phoenix CEO Steve Moore as key players in executing the virtual bid during the coronavirus pandemic. Jarvis was chief operating officer of the local organizing committee for the 2017 Men’s Final Four.
“We really wanted to get this Women’s Final Four,” Anderson said. “It’s one of the few major NCAA championships that Phoenix has not hosted. Despite this COVID-19 and working remotely, we’ve got to keep going and can’t take time off. I’m delighted by the outcome, but by no means shocked or surprised. We’ve been through this before. Our bid group have got it down and know what the touch points are.”
Anderson credits Turner Thorne, in her 24th season at ASU, for bringing “an elite perception to women’s basketball and getting rewarded for that. That means something to the folks making these decisions. It gives you credibility and brand recognition.”
The Men’s Final Four will return to metro Phoenix in 2024 followed by the women two years later.