WBB Faces Grand Canyon in Hall of Fame Phoenix Game on Thursday
THE GAME: Sun Devil WBB (1-1) vs. Grand Canyon (1-1)
WHEN: Thursday at 4:30 p.m. MST
WHERE: Footprint Center • Phoenix, Ariz.
WATCH: ESPN+
RADIO: KDUS AM 1060
LIVE STATS: Click Here
PURCHASE TICKETS: Click Here
UP NEXT
The Sun Devil women's basketball team (1-1) will look to bounce back from its first 2024-25 setback when it takes on Grand Canyon (1-1) on Thursday (4:30 p.m. MST) in the 2024 Hall of Fame Phoenix Series Game at Footprint Center in Phoenix.
The Hall of Fame Series, owned and operated by Position Sports, is a collection of multi-game, singular events that showcase several of the top collegiate basketball teams in exciting non-conference matchups played both domestically and abroad. The inaugural Hall of Fame Series was held in 2023 in Las Vegas, Charlotte, San Antonio, Toronto, and Phoenix.
This is the second straight season the ASU will be competing in the series. In the inaugural event last year, ASU came away with an 80-76 win over Fresno State (12/20/23). Kadidia Toure scored 12 of her career high-tying 22 points in the second half while Jalyn Brown had 20 points.
In hindsight, although it only won by four points while giving up 76 points, ASU's win over Fresno State included many single-game highlights: most points (80), most field goals made (33), committed a season-low 2 fouls which led to an opponent low of 2 FT attempts. ASU also had only 4 turnovers, its second-fewest total of the season.
The Sun Devils opened the 2024-25 campaign with a 74-66 win over Jacksonville State on Nov. 4. In her first game since the end of the 2022-23 season, Tyi Skinner, who missed the entire 2023-24 season due to injury, scored a career-high 30 points to go with a team-high five assists. Brown just missed scoring in double figures with 9 points to go with 6 boards. Two of the newest members of the team – local product Kennedy Basham (8 points, game-high 10 rebounds, 4 blocks) and Nevaeh Parkinson (8 points) – combined for 16 points.
In addition to it being the season opener, Monday's game was also notable from ASU's perspective as it played its first game as a member of the Big 12 Conference. The win was not without drama as ASU trailed by 3 points entering the final quarter. ASU turned in an outstanding defensive effort, limiting Jacksonville State to a paltry 15 percent from the field while outscoring the Gamecocks 17-6 over the final 10 minutes.
Despite scoring 96 points on Friday – the most scored by ASU during head coach Natasha Adair's time at ASU – the Sun Devils were not able to come up with the same come-from-behind magic in a 100-96 loss to Arkansas State. Five players scored in double figure against the Red Wolves: Brown (24 points), Parkinson (18 points), Skinner (16 points), Basham (14 points) and Kennedy Fauntleroy (13 points).
Thursday's game will be the first of three games in four days for the Sun Devils. This weekend, ASU will be hosting the annual Briann January Classic. The Sun Devils will play SMU on Saturday (3:30 p.m. MST) and old Pac-12 foe Oregon State on Sunday (2:30 p.m. MST. Minnesota will also be participating. It will play Oregon State on Saturday (1 p.m. MST) and SMU on Sunday (12 p.m. MST).
WATCH/LISTEN
• Thursday's can be seen on ESPN+. Roxy Bernstein (play-by-play) and Anne O'Neil (color analyst) will be on the call.
• The game can also be heard on KDUS AM 1060. Pregame coverage will start at 4 p.m. Veteran broadcaster and the state of Arizona's 2010 & 2019 Broadcaster of the Year Jeff Munn is in his 21st season as the voice of ASU women's basketball. He will be joined by former Sun Devil head coach Maura McHugh.
KEEP AN EYE ON...
• Jazion Jackson, one of the team's eight new players this season, needs one point to reach 1000 for her career. A fifth-year player, Jackson had her best season in 2023-24, averaging a career-high 11.6 ppg while starting 32 games for UTEP.
SERIES HISTORY
Last season's 66-59 home loss to GCU was ASU's first loss in the series (ASU now leads 3-1). The Sun Devils used a 12-2 run in the fourth quarter to get within four points but was not able to get any closer... In 2022, Tyi Skinner scored 15 of her game-high 29 points in the fourth quarter in helping the Sun Devils establish a program record for most points in a quarter (35) in a come-from-behind 80-72 win at GCU. In that contest, the Sun Devil came back from an 11-point advantage in the final nine minutes to secure the win.
DYNAMIC DUO DEBUT
The 2023-24 Sun Devils were dealt a serious blow when it was announced a month before the start of the season that superstar guard Tyi Skinner would miss the entire season due to a knee injury.
Skinner, who played her first two seasons at Delaware, joined Natasha Adair in Tempe after Adair was named ASU's head coach. In 2022-23, Skinner (2023 All-Pac-12 honorable mention) scored 20 or more points 15 times, including a career-high 29 points twice. A starter in all 28 games, Skinner averaged 19.3 ppg, the most by a Sun Devil since the 1988-89 season. She concluded her first campaign in the Maroon and Gold among the leaders in the Pac-12 in points per game (19.3/2nd/27th in the nation), 3-pointers per game (2.43 per game/2nd), minutes per game (36.59/3rd/29th in the nation), FTss made (79/3rd) and attempted (91/4th), steals per game (1.71/5th), 3-point FG percentage (34.7/6th) and FT percentage (78.1/8th).
The 2023-24 Sun Devils were left pondering, 'what might have been,' had Skinner been able to share the court with Louisville transfer Jalyn Brown. Much like Skinner did in 2022-23, Brown would emerge as one of the top performers in the Pac-12. In league games, Brown finished 3rd in the Pac-12 in scoring (19.6 ppg), 9th in FT percent (80.6) and tied for 14th in 3-pointers per game (1.56). She scored in double figures 26 times (12 20-point games) including a pair of outings in which she had the two highest-scoring games by a Sun Devil since 2000: 35 vs. Colorado (Jan. 7, 2024) and 34 points at Washington (Jan. 21).
Brown, who earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors from the league's coaches and All-Pac-12 recognition from media who cover the league, went on to lead the team in scoring (17.3 ppg) and 3-pointers per game (1.4), was 2nd in FT pct. (76.9), 3-pointers (1.3 per game), minutes (35.54 mpg) and FTs made (103) and attempted (134), 3rd in assists (1.6 apg), tied for 3rd in steals (0.9 spg) and 4th in O-rebounds (1.1 rpg).
With Skinner recovered from her injury, Adair is excited to see what the Sun Devils are capable of with both Skinner and Brown on the court.
"It's poetry in motion; those two have known each other even prior to coming here from the Washington, DC area so they know each other's game, and more importantly it's about every other piece in addition to them," Adair said. I'm excited for our fans to see our size inside, it's going be hard to guard (us because) who are you going to sag off on and who are you going to double?
"Watching us work on that every day you can see it coming together. I'm excited about every piece because as much as they are talented there are so many other players and parts. I want to know how opponents are going to stop us."
In her first game since the end of the 2022-23 season, Skinner scored a career-high 30 points – her 17th game as a Sun Devil scoring 20 or more points – in ASU's 74-66 win over Jacksonville State on Nov. 4.
Brown led ASU in scoring (24 points) in Friday's loss to Arkansas State. Combined with Skinner's 16 points, the duo combines for 40 points in the game.
MEET THE NEWCOMERS
Half the players on 2024-25 Sun Devil Squad will be making their debut in the Maroon and Gold this season. Read on for a thumbnail summary of each player along with head coach Natasha Adair's comments on each player from earlier this year.
#0 /// Kennedy Basham /// F /// 6-7 /// Jr. /// Phoenix, Ariz.
• Kennedy Basham will be returning home after playing two seasons at the University of Oregon where she played in 47 games with 24 starting assignments (all 24 starts came sophomore season).
• Led team with 48 blocks and led or tied for team lead in 13 games, finishing with multiple blocks 15 times.
• Scored a season-high 15 points at Washington (Feb. 23) and followed that up with 14 points at Washington State (Feb. 25) for her first career games in double figures.
• Had strong Sun Devil debut scoring eight points, grabbing a game-high 10 rebounds, blocking four shots vs. Jacksonville State (Nov. 4)... Had her first double-figure scoring effort as a Sun Devil (16 points/6-11 FGs) vs. Arkansas State (Nov. 8).
Coach A's comments: "I'm thrilled to welcome home local PHH star Kennedy "KB" Basham to our Sun Devil family. A hometown favorite and a player with national recognition, Kennedy is no stranger to playing on the biggest stages in NCAA women's basketball. Kennedy has a pro frame and versatility at 6'7. With her size, range, athleticism and defensive presence, she will be an immediate game changer for us. She's coming off a season in which she recorded 48 blocks. KB has NCAA Tournament experience and is a missing piece to our success. She is ready to get to work!"
#4 /// Jyah LoVett /// G /// 5-8 /// So. /// San Gabriel, Calif.
• LoVett is coming to ASU from San Jose State where she earned Mountain West All-Freshman Team honors for a season in which she played and started in 17 games as the team's primary point guard.
• Earned Mountain West Freshman of the Week honors three times.
• Averaged 18 ppg in her six Mountain West appearances.
• Scored a career-high 26 points twice: against Fresno State in the Mountain West opener (Jan. 3) and again at UNLV (Jan. 10).
Coach A's comments: "Jyah "Big 4" Lovett is bringing the heat to Tempe. She's a gym rat and a student of the game who can flat out play. She can. She's a strong guard who can score on every level, finish at the rim and has great change of speed and direction. Jyah is a competitor and a winner and is coming off a stellar freshman campaign where she scored in double figures in more than half of her games. She plays with energy and enthusiasm. I'm excited for Sun Devil fans to see Jyah in action. Off-season works starts now!"
#7 /// Jazion Jackson /// G /// 5-9 /// Grad. /// Dallas, Texas
• Jackson will be bringing an abundance of experience to Tempe.
• Transferred to ASU from Texas Tech. Unfortunately, Jackson didn't play after a a season-ending injury prior to the season.
• Played her first three seasons for North Texas where she started 72 of 81 games. Raised her scoring average each season while playing for North Texas: 5.9 ppg, 8.6 ppg, 9.2 ppg.
• Had the best season of her career playing for UTEP in 2022-23. Earned First-Team All-Conference USA honors after she started all 32 of UTEP's games and led the team in steals (2.06 per game/fourth in the conference) and was second on the squad in scoring (11.6 ppg), rebounds per game (5.8) and assists per game (2.3).
Coach A's Comments: "Hold on to your seats, Sun Devil nation, because Jazion "Jaz" Jackson will bring the crowd to its feet! She's a prolific scorer on every level and a relentless defender who wreaks havoc on opposing offenses. Jaz is also a rebounding guard, which will be an asset to our team. Quiet by nature but turns it on when the lights come on. Jaz has earned All-Conference honors, is a double-digit scorer and is capable of coming up with a steal anytime she is on defense. She brings high energy, competitiveness and Big 12 experience to Tempe. The work begins now!"
#10 /// Kennedy Fauntleroy /// G /// 5-7 /// Jr. /// Upper Marlboro, Md.
• Had outstanding freshman campaign at Georgetown where she was unanimously named the 2023 Big East Freshman of the Year and was named to the league's all-freshman team.
• Started 29 of the 30 games she played in 2022-23 and was named the Big East Freshman of the Week six times. In Big East play, averaged 11.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 2.9 assists per outing.
• Transferred to ASU from Oklahoma State where she played in five games last season. Opened season scoring 14 points in helping OSU defeat SIUE (Nov. 6). Also added four steals in the victory.
• Produced a solid all-around debut in her Sun Devil debut, scoring 7 points, grabbing 6 rebounds to go with 3 assists and 4 steals in win over Jacksonville State (Nov. 4)... Scored 13 points and dished out 7 assists vs. Arkansas State Nov. (9).
Coach A's comments: "Sun Devil fans meet Kennedy "Ken" Fauntleroy. A winner and a competitor, Kennedy made a statement early in her career by earning Big East rookie of the year. She also brings Big 12 experience to Tempe. Her lightning quick speed in transition, ability to score on every level and tremendous defense will make it hard for opponents to contain her. "Ken" is used to the big stage and I'm looking forward to coaching her on it."
#12 /// Makayla Moore /// G /// 6-0 /// Jr. /// San Jose, Calif.
• Transferred to ASU from Seattle U where she played 49 games (28 starts) in two seasons.
• Started all 28 games she played last season and averaged a career-best 11.3 points while playing 29.2 minutes per game.
• Posted a career-high 23 points on a career-best 11 made field goals against UTRGV (Jan. 11, 2024).
• Pulled down career-high 10 rebounds against UT Arlington (Jan. 13, 2024).
Coach A's comments: "Makayla Moore, is a BIG guard. Very fundamentally skilled. She is a student of the game. She is deadly in the midrange, an efficient scorer and a pesky defender. She's a big rebounding guard which fits perfectly into our system. She is used to winning. She played for world renowned Archbishop Mitty (Calif.), and also won an EYBL Championship with national Powerhouse Cal Stars. Sun Devil fans will love Makayla on and off the court. Excited to get in the gym and work!"
#15 /// Heavenly Greer /// F /// 6-3 /// Sr. /// Phoenix, Ariz.
• Like fellow first-year Sun Devil Kennedy Basham, Greer will be returning to her hometown of Phoenix.
• Greer will be familiar with many of ASU's conference opponents as played all three of her seasons in the Big 12: one season at Oklahoma (played 10 games) and two seasons at Kansas State (played 46 contests).
• Played in a career-high 30 contests in her first season playing for Kansas State (2022-23).
• Kansas State made it to the postseason in each of Greer's two seasons playing for the Wildcats (WNIT in 2023 and NCAA Tournament in 2024).
Coach A's comments: "Sun Devil fans will fall in love with Phoenix native, Heavenly "Hev" Greer. She has talent, toughness, athleticism and rebounds in and out of her area. She will be great in transition for us. She is a hybrid in that she plays inside and outside. She is just a relentless worker!! Hev comes to us with Big 12 and NCAA Tournament experience which makes for an easy transition as we'll face teams next season she is familiar with. Hev is a local star who is excited to play in front of family and friends. We can't wait!"
#22 /// Timya Grice /// C /// 6-5 /// Fr. /// Katy, Texas
• The lone freshman on ASU's 2024-25 roster, Grice led her Taylor high school squad to the No. 3 (28-7; 12-4 in district) spot in 2024, its first playoff berth since the 2018-19 season.
• In 2023-24, was named one of the Top 26 girls' basketball players in the state of Texas by SB Live and was selected to the TGCA All-State team.
• Prior to the 2023-24 season, was named No. 8 in Vype's Top 30 players in Houston.
• Scored 34 points and a pulled down a school-record 24 rebounds in a victory over district counterpart Seven Lakes.
Joined Taylor's squad in January of 2023, after moving from Mauldin, S.C.
• Averaged 8.7 points and 6.1 rebounds in her three seasons playing for Mauldin (S.C.).
Coach A's comments: "Sun Devil nation please welcome Timya "TG" Grice to Tempe. TG will be big a dominant force inside at six-foot-five. She is a tenacious rebounder who plays with physicality and passion. TG is coming off of her best high school season in which she earned all-region, first-team all-district and newcomer of the year honors. She also set a school record for the most rebounds and the highest double double (34/24) in school history. Excited that TG has arrived so we can get to work. Forks Up!"
#32 /// Nevaeh Parkinson /// C /// 6-3 /// Grad. /// Dallas, Texas
• Parkinson is another player who will be toting plenty of experience to Tempe. After playing 20 games in two seasons at New Mexico, had a pair of breakout seasons at UC Irvine in helping the squad earn postseason berths in both 2023 and 2024.
• In 2022-23, was named the Big West's Best Sixth Player and also received All-Big West honorable mention recognition.
• After helping lead UC Irvine to the WNIT in her first season, helped her squad ascend even higher in earning a berth to the NCAA Tournament last season.
• Scored a career-high 18 points (8-10 FGs) and grabbed 10 rebounds in UC Irvine's NCAA Tournament first round game at Gonzaga (Mar. 23).
• Currently leads the team in rebounds per game (8.0) and is 3rd in points per game (13.0). Scored 8 points in Sun Devil debut vs. Jacksonville St. (Nov. 4)... Tied career high with 18 points (8-10 FGs, 2-2 FTs) to go with 6 rebounds vs. Arkansas State (Nov. 9).
Coach A's comments: "Neveah Parkinson will ignite Sun Devil nation with her skill set, toughness, energy and effort. She is a force inside and plays with tenacity on the court. Neveah has the versatility to play inside and out. She has great hands and footwork around the rim. She does a phenomenal job of finishing through contact. She is a winner and brings NCAA tournament experience to Tempe. It's time to get to work!"
BACK FOR MORE
Eight players are back from last year's squad, each with the ability to help the Sun Devils climb even higher in the first season of the Big 12. Note: See page 2 for notes on Jalyn Brown and Tyi Skinner
#1 /// Kadidia Toure /// F • 6-3 /// Jr. /// Silver Spring, Md.
• Transferred to ASU in 2023 after playing freshman season at James Madison.
• Has played in 53 career games with 7 starts (all 7 with ASU) .
• In her first season at ASU, played in every game (7 starts) and led the team in FG pct. (43.5/among players who averaged 5.0 or more FG att per game), was 2nd in O-rebs (1.5 rpg), and 4th in scoring (5.7 ppg/among players who played in at least half the games).
#13 /// Maggie Besselink /// G/F /// 6-3 /// Grad. • Kingston, Ontario
• Versatile scorer and outstanding rebounder.
• Has been limited to 42 games (32 starts) because of injuries.
• Played in 12 games (11 starts) before suffering season-ending injury at Washington State (Jan. 19). At time of injury, was 2nd on the team in rebs per game (4.6) and 4th in O-rebs (1.3 rpg).
#21 /// Hanna Miller /// F • 6-2 /// Jr. /// Aberdeen, S.D.
• Transferred to ASU from Dodge City CC (Dodge City, Kan.) where Miller played one season.
• Older sister of current Sun Devil Mallory Miller. The 2023-24 season was the first for both Hanna and Mallory on the Sun Devil women's basketball team.
• Played in 3 games as a freshman and accounted for first points of career (4/1-1 3FG/1-2 FTs) in win vs. Idaho State (Nov. 19).
#24 /// Mallory Miller /// F /// 6-4 /// So /// Aberdeen, S.D.
• Had solid freshman campaign, making important contributions as the season progressed.
• Younger sister Hanna is a member of the Sun Devil women's basketball team.
• Played in 27 contests (four starts - all coming in last four games of the season).
• All 3 of her double-figure scoring games came in Pac-12 play.
• In ASU's 5 games prior to final weekend of regular season, averaged 8.4 ppg (3rd on team), 5.6 rpg and 1.2 bpg (led team in both).
#25 /// Adison Novosel /// G • 5-11 /// Sr. /// Richfield, Ohio
• Transferred to ASU in 2023 after playing first two seasons at Saint Francis University (played in 35 contests with 25 starts).
• After appearing in seven games off the bench as a freshman, started 25 of 28 games in 2022-23.
• Played in 21 games (9.0 mins per game) in her first season as a Sun Devil. Six of her seven 3-pointers came in Pac-12 play.
• Played 30 mins and hit season-high 3 FGs vs. No. 15 Utah (Jan. 5).
#30 • Morasha Wiggins /// G /// 6-0 /// Sr. /// Kalamazoo, Mich.
• Transferred to ASU after playing her freshman season (2021-22) at North Carolina.
• Ranked 18th in the ESPNW Class of 2021 rankings, Wiggins was expected to be an impact player for ASU before suffering a preseason injury that forced her to miss the entire 2022-23 campaign.
NOTES ON ASU'S FIRST SEASON IN THE BIG 12
Big 12 Transfers: Three Sun Devil newcomers were on a Big 12 campus in the past year. Heavenly Greer played the past two years at Kansas State, Dallas native Jazion Jackson was at Texas Tech last year and Kennedy Fauntleroy was at Oklahoma State last year after earning 2022-23 Big East Freshman of the Year at Georgetown.
The Big 12 format: Teams will play three opponents home and away while facing six teams only at home and six opponents only on the road for a total of 18 Conference games. Opponents were selected based on a combination of geography, historical results and a poll of the coaches to best balance the schedule in terms of travel and competitiveness.
ASU's Big 12 opponent breakdown: Home: Baylor (2024 NCAA Tournament Team), Cincinnati (2024 WNIT Team), Iowa State (2024 NCAA Tournament Team), TCU (2024 WBIT Team), Texas Tech, West Virginia (2024 NCAA Tournament Team). Away: Central Florida, Colorado (2024 NCAA Tournament Team), Houston, Kansas (2024 NCAA Tournament Team), Kansas State (2024 NCAA Tournament Team), Oklahoma State. Home and Away: Arizona (2024 NCAA Tournament Team), BYU (2024 WBIT Team), Utah (2024 NCAA Tournament Team)
When it starts/ends: League play begins Saturday, Dec. 21 with six games and concludes Sunday, March 2. The regular season will be followed by the 2025 Phillips 66 Big 12 Women's Basketball Championship, which will take place in Kansas City's T-Mobile Center for the second consecutive season.
About the league: The current league members combined to go 8-0 in their first game of the 2024 NCAA Tournament while 15 of the 16 teams finished the 2023-24 season in the top 101 of the NET rankings. Four Big 12 teams are ranked in the top 16 of ESPN's Women's Basketball Way-Too-Early Top 25, tied for the most of any league.