WBB Opens Season at Home Monday Night vs. UTSA
THE GAME: Sun Devil WBB (0-0) vs. UTSA (0-0)
WHEN: Monday at 6 p.m. MST
WHERE: Desert Financial Arena • Tempe, Ariz.
WATCH: ASU Live Stream
RADIO: KDUS AM 1060
LIVE STATS: Click here
PURCHASE TICKETS: Click here
UP NEXT
The Sun Devil women's basketball team opens the 2023-24 season on Monday (6 p.m. MST) when it hosts UTSA at Desert Financial Arena.
Second-year head coach Natasha Adair is excited about a roster that includes seven healthy returning players and eight newcomers.
For Adair, despite the countless number of positive adjectives she uses to describe each player on the roster, there is one that stands out above all others as it relates to all the active players: healthy.
While there are so many factors involved in any team's success, it could be argued there is an element of luck that has the potential to affect any team – no matter how talented, no matter how experienced – and that would be the ability to stay healthy.
Adair's first Sun Devil squad started the season 5-0, the first time an ASU team could boast of such an accomplishment since the 2002-03 season. Unfortunately, the team's fortunes would end up being beset by injuries that would ultimately be play a major factor in the team's ability to be competitive in arguably the best women's basketball conference in the nation in the Pac-12.
In 2022-23, the Sun Devils had four players who played in fewer than half the team's games due to injury. And that did not include a pair of difference makers who did not play in a single game due to injuries incurred before the start of the season.
With all that stated, it would come as little surprise to anyone that the team's much-improved health was the first item Adair reference when she was asked to talk about the state of this year's team at Pac-12 Media Day.
"We're healthy, and I'll start there," Adair stated. "It's just exciting to be able to be in the gym now ... a year ago we just didn't have this opportunity.
"But we talk about the energy, the enthusiasm, the competitiveness, and I think that's the energy right now, that we're healthy, but we're competing. I'm just excited moving forward."
WATCH/LISTEN
• Monday's season opener can be seen via ASU Live Stream. Alexis Davis (PxP), Blake Niemann (analyst) and Ben Parris (sideline) will be calling the action.
• The game can also be heard on KDUS AM 1060. Veteran broadcaster and the state of Arizona's 2010 & 2019 Broadcaster of the Year Jeff Munn is in his 20th season as the voice of ASU women's basketball. He will be joined by former Sun Devil head coach Maura McHugh.
SERIES NOTES VERSUS UTSA
• ASU has won its five prior contests vs. UTSA, most recently 68-44 in round one of the Sun Devil Classic in 2021 in Tempe.
• The last four meetings have been in Tempe after ASU took the first game 70-35 at UTSA on December 19, 1999.
RECAPPING THE 2022-23 SEASON
• Despite a spate of unlucky injuries to key personnel, the Sun Devils had several noteworthy accomplishments during Adair's inaugural season in Tempe. The accomplishments included...
• Starting 5-0 for the first time since 2002-03.
• Finishing the season No. 2 in the Pac-12 and 10th in the nation in fewest turnovers per game (12.3). Only ASU's 2017-18 squad averaged fewer turnovers per game (11.7) in a season.
• Even with all its injuries, ASU nearly pulled off three Top 25 upsets in the season's final five games: vs. No. 21 Colorado (62-70), vs. No. 4 Utah (69-74) and vs. No. 19 UCLA (70-81-OT) in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament. After trailing the Bruins by as many as 19 points in the third quarter, the Sun Devils staged a furious rally to take a two-point lead in regulation before falling in overtime. The win would have been ASU's biggest comeback in school history.
• In their 75-73 win at Oregon State, the Sun Devils overcame the second-largest deficit in school history (17 points). The victory was also No. 175 of Adair's career.
• Individually, Sun Devil guards Jaddan Simmons (Pac-12 All-Defense honorable mention) and Tyi Skinner (All-Pac-12 honorable mention) comprised one of the most talented backcourts in the country. Both players earned Pac-12 honors as voted on by the league's head coaches. Skinner, who finished second in the Pac-12 and 27th in the nation in scoring (19.2
ppg), was also named to the media's 15-member All-Pac-12 team.
ALL-PAC-12 STANDOUT TYI SKINNER TO MISS 2023-24 SEASON
Although the Sun Devil women's basketball team's overall health is a 180-degree difference from last season, the squad was dealt a tremendous blow when Natasha Adair announced Oct. 4, 2023, that senior guard Tyi Skinner will miss the 2023-24 season due to a knee injury.
Skinner, who last season earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors from the league's coaches and All-Pac-12 recognition from media who cover the league, quickly established herself as one of top scorers in the Pac-12 and one of the most exciting players in the nation to watch in her first season in Tempe.
In 2022-23, Skinner scored 20 or more points 15 times, including a career-high 29 points on two occasions. A starter in all 28 games, Skinner went on to average 19.3 points per game, 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), free throws made (79/3rd) and attempted (91/4th), steals per game (1.71/5th), 3-point FG percentage (34.7/6th) and free throw percentage (78.1/8th).
Skinner, who played her first two seasons at Delaware under Adair, went over 1,000 points in career scoring last season, concluding the campaign with 1,203 career points.
SCHEDULE NOTES
• Games against four teams that qualified for postseason play last season highlight the Sun Devil women's basketball team's 2023 non-conference schedule.
• The Sun Devils will play 17 home games: eight non-conference and nine Pac-12 contests. The Sun Devils, who will open the season on Mon., Nov. 6 at home vs. UTSA, will commence Pac-12 play – at home vs. Arizona on Dec. 17 – while still in the midst of playing their non-conference schedule. ASU's non-conference slate will conclude on Dec. 30 at home vs. Santa Clara.
• ASU will play 2023 NCAA Tournament participants Texas and South Florida and 2023 WNIT entry High Point at the Paradise Jam.
• The Sun Devils will appear on Pac-12 Networks at least 20 times during the 2023-24 campaign.
The Pac-12 leads all conferences with six teams in the AP Preseason Top 25: No. 4 UCLA, No. 5 Utah, No. 15 Stanford, No. 20 Colorado, No. 21 USC and No. 24 Washington State.
QUICK PLAYER NOTES
#1 • Kadidia Toure • F • 6-3 • So. • Silver Spring, Md.
• Transferred to ASU in 2023 after playing freshman season at James Madison.
• Played in 21 games and recorded career-highs in points (10) and steals (3) versus Queens (N.C.) on Nov. 13.
• Four-year varsity player for Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.). As a senior in 2022, the league's player of the year averaged 14 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks on her way to WCAC Player of the Year honors and first-team All-Met recognition.
#2 • Jaddan Simmons • G • 5-9 • Sr. • Houston, Texas
• Has started all 77 games she has played in over the last three seasons.
• Was named 2022 Preseason Pac-12 Honorable Mention and at the conclusion of the season was named Pac-12 All-Defensive Team Honorable Mention.
• Scored in double figures in 22 of 27 games last season on her way to a single-season, career-high 12.4 ppg.
#3 • Tyi Skinner • G • 5-5 • Sr. • Washington, D.C.
• Was announced on October 4, 2023 that Tyi Skinner will miss the 2023-24 season due to a knee injury.
• Tyi Skinner made an immediate impact in her first season as a Sun Devil, earning All Pac-12 recognition from media that cover the league and Pac-12 honorable mention honors from the league's coaches for a season in which she started all 28 games and averaged the most points per game (19.2) in a season since 1988-89.
• Finished second in the Pac-12 and 27th in the nation in points per game last season.
• Scored in double figures in 25 of 28 games, including 15 games with 20 or more points.
#4 • Trayanna Crisp • G • 5-8 • So. • Goodyear, Ariz.
• In her first season wearing the Maroon and Gold, Crisp appeared in all 28 games, starting five of them.
• Earned her first start against Missouri, scoring 11 points.
• Averaged double figures in scoring (11.5 ppg) and connected on 60 percent of her field goals (9-15) at the Goombay Splash (Nov. 25-26).
#10 • Marina Radocaj • G/F • 6-2 • Fr. • Richmond, British Columbia
• Talented standout, who earned spots on Canada's U16 and U17 teams.
• Member of the 2021 U16 Canadian Team that placed second at FIBA Americas. Radocaj averaged 9.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in the six games she played (all starts). Scored 14 points (7-10 FGs) in semifinal matchup vs. Argentina and connected on 51 percent of her FGs in the tournament.
• Played in five games at the 2022 FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup.
In 2023, was named McMath secondary's Female Athlete of the Year for her achievements in both basketball and volleyball.
#11 • Maggie Besselink • G/F • 6-3 • Sr. • Kingston, Ontario
• After missing the 2022-23 season due to injury, will look to return in 2023-24 and display the outstanding versatility that makes her a multi-dimension threat with or without the ball no matter where she is on the floor.
• In 2019 Besselink was selected to Canada's U19 national team that participated in the FIBA World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand.
#12 • Treasure Hunt • G • 6-2 • Sr. • Chattanooga, Tenn.
• In her first season as a Sun Devil, played & started in 27 games and averaged 34.1 minutes (third on team), 11.3 points and 6.1 rebounds. Also made 28 3-pointers and had 22 blocks and 25 steals.
• Had career-high 24 points vs. Arizona on Jan. 22 and had career-best 15 rebounds at New Mexico on Nov. 20.
• Including two seasons at Kentucky, has started 57 of the 72 games.
#13 • Sandra Magolico • F • 6-2 • Jr. • Maputo, Mozambique
• Transferred to ASU after playing first two seasons at New Mexico CC.
• In 2019, competed for the Mozambique national team, playing in nine games and averaged 11.0 minutes per game.
• Started 28 of 30 games in 2022-23 in leading New Mexico JC to a 26-6 record and a Round of 16 finish in the NJCAA Women's Basketball Championship. Scored in double figures 10 times, including a game-high 18 points and a career-high 14 rebounds in win over Dodge City CC in opening-round win of the NJCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championships.
#20 • Kiley Sours-Miller • C • 6-3 • Fr. • Surprise, Ariz.
• Playing for Dream City Christian, as a senior was ranked No. 10 in The Arizona Republic's Elite Girls 50 players in 2022-23. At the time (December 2022), Sours-Miller was averaging 12.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and two blocks.
• Scored more than 1,000 points in her career and led Dream Christian to the 2023 Girls Open Division state title.
• Averaged a double-double after playing first two seasons at Peoria Centennial, junior season at Phoenix Greenway and senior season at Glendale Dream City Christian.
#21 • Hanna Miller • F • 6-2 • So. • Aberdeen, S.D.
• Transferred to ASU from Dodge City CC (Dodge City, Kan.) where Miller played one season.
Sister of incoming freshman Sun Devil Mallory Miller. Both players are in their first season with the program.
• Played in 23 games (three starts) and averaged 11.3 minutes per game.
• As a senior, teamed with sister Mallory to help lead Aberdeen Christian to a 21-5 record and a berth in the Class B girls basketball tournament.
#22 • Journey Thompson • F • 6-3 • So. • McMurray, Pa.
• Played in 13 games (three starts) as a freshman before having season prematurely come to an end due to injury.
• After accounting for 6 points, 4 rebounds and one block in the fourth quarter of ASU's comeback win at GCU (Nov. 30), Thompson had her first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds vs. UMass (Dec. 2).
• In her first career start, Thompson accounted for 11 points and six rebounds in ASU's win over Prairie View A&M (Dec. 17).
#23 • Jalyn Brown • G • 6-1 • So. • Baltimore, Md.
• Transferred to ASU in 2023 after playing freshman season at Louisville. Played in seven contests for Louisville squad that went on to conclude its season in the Elite Eight of the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
• Came to Louisville from St. Frances Academy, the same high school that former Cardinals great and WNBA All-Star Angel McCoughtry attended.
• A four-star prospect coming out of high school, who was ranked No. 78 overall and the No. 12 ranked wing by espnW HoopGurlz, Brown was ranked the fifth best player in Maryland by Prep Girls Hoops.
#24 • Mallory Miller • F • 6-4 • Fr. • Aberdeen, S.D.
• The sister of ASU sophomore guard Hanna Miller, Mallory was named a KELOLAND Media Group All-Star Girls Basketball Player of the Year finalist and was nominated Miss Basketball 2023 for the state of South Dakota after posting per-game averages of 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists.
• Led Wolsey-Wessington to a 22-3 record an appearance in the state semifinals (its first appearance in the state tournament) and the state's top seed in 2023.
• As a junior, teamed with sister Hanna to help Aberdeen Christian to a 21-5 record and a berth in the Class B girls basketball tournament.
#25 • Adison Novosel • G • 5-11 • Jr. • Richfield, Ohio
• Transferred to ASU in 2023 after playing first two seasons at Saint Francis University where she appeared in 35 contests (25 starts).
• After appearing in seven games off the bench as a freshman, started 25 of 28 games in 2022-23.
• As a sophomore, led Saint Francis with 29 triples and posted career highs in points (12) and 3-pointers (4) vs. Central Connecticut State (Jan. 28). Also pulled down a career-high six rebounds twice – at Xavier (Nov. 13), at Sacred Heart (Feb. 9) and snared a career-high three steals vs. Coppin State (Nov. 7).
30 • Morasha Wiggins • G • 6-0 • Jr. • 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 the Sun Devils before suffering a preseason injury that forced her to miss the entire 2022-23 campaign.
#44 • Isadora Sousa • G • 6-0 • Grad. • Sao Paulo, Brazil
• Has played in 30 games with seven starts in her two seasons with the Sun Devils.
• Has worked hard to come back from injury each of last two seasons and has proved to be an effective performer when on the floor.
• In 2022-23, scored a career high-tying points in consecutive games (at Stanford/Dec. 31 and at Cal/Jan 2) and had the second highest field goal percentage on the team, shooting 44.8%.