Jackets seniors using extra season of eligibility

At the mention of her two seniors returning, Nell Fort- ner chuckled. She might have had a bit of an idea.

“We’ll have those conversations over the next few days,” the Georgia Tech women’s basketball coach said Sunday after the NCAA Tournament.

Forty-eight hours after seeing its season end in the

Sweet 16 against South Caro- lina, Georgia Tech got favorable news. Seniors Lorela Cubaj and Kierra Fletcher will use their free season of eligibility and play a fifth season for Fortner.

Cubaj, Fletcher and junior Lotta-maj Lahtinen are Tech’s leadership group and were vital to the team’s success. Cubaj had some WNBA projections, including a first- round selection in a mock draft by ESPN five days ago.

Fortner said Cubaj “anchors” Tech on both ends by aver- aging 12.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.

Those entering the WNBA draft have to opt in by Thursday.

Fletcher had consistently been a do-it-all guard for the Jackets. She seemed to have immediate interest in returning, and those conversations on a return progressed quickly. Fletcher averaged 13 points per game on the season, and scored 16 in the loss to South Carolina.

“Run it back,” Fletcher tweeted.

“Senior year part 2,” Cubaj followed.

As of Monday morning, Tech didn’t have any play- ers in the transfer portal, per a person familiar with the situation. The Jackets have a full 15-player roster with the return of Cubaj and Fletcher and the addition of two 2021 signees.