GAME NO. 12: Sun Devil WBB (5-6, 0-0 Big 12) at Utah (9-2, 0-0 Big 12)
WHEN: Saturday at 4 p.m. MST
WHERE: Jon M. Huntsman Center • Salt Lake City, Utah
WATCH: ESPN+
RADIO: KDUS AM 1060
LIVE STATS: Click here
UP NEXT
The Sun Devil women's basketball team (5-6, 0-0 Big 12) will play its first ever Big 12 Conference game on Saturday (4 p.m. MST) when it travels to Salt Lake City to take on Utah (9-2, 0-0 Big 12).
WATCH/LISTEN
Saturday's game at Utah can be seen on ESPN+ (Krista Blunk, Angela Taylor). It 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 21st season as the voice of ASU WBB.
SERIES NOTES
• ASU has won 11 of the last 18 meetings – or 11 of 19 counting game ASU had to forfeit at Utah in 2022-23 due to not having enough healthy players. Utah has won 4 of the last 7 contests decided on the court, most recently in last year's Pac-12 Tournament opening round, 71-60. The Sun Devils led by two after one quarter, were within four points at the half and – but for a fluky sequence in the final seconds of the third quarter – had a chance to be within two possessions entering the final 10 minutes.
• During a three-season stretch between 2018-20, the two teams played four consecutive games that were each decided by two points and a fifth in which the margin of victory was four.
• On Feb. 17, 2019, ASU pulled off the biggest comeback in school history when it scored the last 20 points of the game to erase an 18-point deficit.
RANKINGS OF NOTE
• Through games played Dec. 18, ASU is ranked among the top 60 teams in the nation in FT pct (16th/78.4/2nd in Big 12), blocks per game (24th/5.1/5th in Big 12) and defensive rebounds per game (48th/28.5/6th in Big 12).
• ASU is also ranked in the top half of the Big 12 in rebounds per game(40.4/6th), FTs made per game (8th/13.2), and offensive rebounds per game (12.0/8th)
• Individually, Kennedy Basham is 8th the in the nation in blocks per game (2.7/2nd in Big 12) and Tyi Skinner is 49th in 3-pointers per game (2.55/6th in the Big 12) and 60th in points per game (17.9/6th in Big 12).
• ASU also has several players ranked among the Top 20 in the Big 12: Skinner is 2nd in minutes per game (34.39), 5th in FT pct. (85.4), 9th in 3-point pct. (37.3), 17th in assists per game (3.5) and 19th in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.18); Jalyn Brown is 11th blocks per game (1.1), 14th in scoring (16.3 ppg) and 15th in FT pct (76.3) and Basham is 13th in rebounds per game (7.1).
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Saturday's league opener at Utah will conclude a stretch of seven consecutive games in which ASU has on the road for either a neutral site contest or as the away team in a true road game.
• After wins over SMU (80-73 on Nov. 16) and former Pac-12 foe Oregon State (79-60 on Nov. 17) in the annual Briann January Classic, the Sun Devils split their contests at the Music City Classic in Nashville, Tenn., falling to No. 14 Kentucky 77-61 (Nov. 26) and beating South Dakota 95-88 (Nov. 27) . Nevaeh Parkinson was named to the Music City Classic All-Tournament Team. Against South Dakota, Parkinson scored a team- and career-high 26 points. Parkinson's single-game field goal percentage of 92.3 percent on 12 of 13 shooting vs. South Dakota, was the best individual performance for a Sun Devil attempting 10 or more shots in a game since Betsy Boardman made all 10 of her shots (1.000) vs. UCLA on February 17, 2001. Parkinson was also ASU's top rebounder in the two contests (6.5 rebounds per game).
• Next it was off to the DMV where the Sun Devils once split their two contests, falling at Coppin State 74-68 in OT (Dec. 5) before coming back to defeat UMES 64-57 (Dec. 7) in the Coaches vs. Racism Roundball Classic played in Washington DC. The game at Coppin State was ASU's first true 'road game' of the season. Brown (14.5 ppg) and Skinner (13.5 ppg) both averaged double figures in the two games. At Coppin State, ASU came back from nine points down to take a 59-55 lead with 3:33 remaining. The Sun Devils led 68-67 with 1:28 remaining in OT before the Eagles closed the game with a 9-0 run to claim the win. Against UMES, ASU was phenomenal on the defensive end where it allowed the fewest points in a game this season and had season bests in steals (15) and blocked shots (9) and forced 32 turnovers, 13 more than the previous opponent high of 19 by Oregon State in last month's Briann January Classic.
• Most recently, the Sun Devils headed to Northern California and the Bay Area for games at UC Davis (Dec. 15) and at San Francisco (Dec. 17). For the Sun Devils, the game at UC Davis was its first in eight days due to final exams. It was be the second time ASU has had more than a week in between games. Last month ASU had a nine-day gap: After defeating OSU in its most last home game on Nov. 17, it did not play again until it left the state for the first time this season to compete in the Coast2Coast Music City Classic in Nashville (Nov. 26 vs. then-No. 14 Kentucky and Nov. 27 vs. South Dakota).
• Despite a stout defensive effort and a plus-12 advantage on the boards, ASU came up on the short end of a 57-50 decision at UC Davis last Sunday. For the second straight game ASU held the opposition to the fewest points its given up this season. It also allowed the Aggies to shoot only 37 percent. Unfortunately for ASU, it struggled to put the ball in the basket as it made just 28 percent of its shots and knocked down one of its 14 attempts from long range. Brown led all scorers with 21 points to go with three steals. Leading ASU's effort on the boards was Maggie Besselink, who had game highs in rebounds (12) and offensive rebounds (7). For Besselink, who also had scored four points, her 12 boards were one short of matching her career high of 13 vs. USC on Mar. 3, 2021.
• Despite a game-high 27 points from Skinner, ASU lost at San Francisco, 67-64, on Tuesday. For the second time this season, Skinner came within one 3-triple of tying the single-game school record after knocking down six vs. the Dons. The difference in the game was at the free throw line, not in accuracy – ASU made 82 pct of its attempts and San Francisco made 83 pct – but in the number of opportunities. By game's end, the Dons had more than three times as many attempts (29-35) ASU (9-11).
PROGRESS NOT ALWAYS MEASURED IN WINS AND LOSSES
The Sun Devils, who have eight new players on this season's roster, have experienced the ups and downs that can sometimes go with combining the talents of several outstanding players early in the season. That factor alone could account for the Sun Devils' current 5-6 record. The fact of the matter is, the Sun Devils could just as easily be 10-1 right now...
• Against Arkansas State, the Sun Devils trailed by 13 with 6:15 remaining. After a 19-5 run, ASU was suddenly up be one with 1:01 remaining. Arkansas State scored the last five points of the game to claim the win.
• After going into the half with a 42-33 win vs. Grand Canyon, the Sun Devils were outscored 37-17 in the second half.
• At Coppin State, the Sun Devils were unable to score in the final 53 seconds to break a 61-61 tie. The Eagles would go on to win in OT.
• Despite a stout defensive effort and a plus-12 advantage on the boards, the Sun Devils came up on the short end of a 57-50 decision at UC Davis. For the second straight game the Sun Devils held the opposition to the fewest points they have given up this season and allowed the Aggies to shoot only 37 percent. Unfortunately for ASU, it struggled to put the ball in the basket as it made just 28 percent of its shots and knocked down one of its 14 attempts from long range. Down by eight entering the fourth quarter, the Sun Devils did not show any letup, methodically trimming the Aggies' advantage. Besselink's layup got the Sun Devils within two points, 44-42, with 5:36 remaining. ASU was within one possession three more times but did not come away with points in each instance. After Besselink's earlier field goal got ASU within two, the Sun Devils were only able to connect on three of their 14 shot attempts in the final five minutes of the game.
• At San Francisco, the Sun Devils were unable to take advantage of a 27-point performance from Skinner and a career-high and a tremendous all-around performance from Basham, who scored 12 points, grabbed seven rebounds and had a career-high seven blocks. The difference in the game was at the free throw line, not in accuracy – ASU made 82 percent of its attempts and San Francisco made 83 percent – but in the number of opportunities. By game's end, the Dons had more than three times as many attempts (29-35) as the Sun Devils (9-11). Still the Sun Devils were tied at 57-57 with 1:09 remaining. After the Dons took a six-point lead, Skinner knocked down a pair of 3-pointers and missed on a third that would have tied the game and sent it to overtime.
DYNAMIC DUO DEBUT
The 2023-24 Sun Devils were dealt a serious blow when it was announced before 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 29 points twice. A starter in all 28 games, Skinner averaged 19.3 ppg, (most by a Sun Devil since the 1988-89 ). She concluded her first campaign as a Sun Devil 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), FTs made (79/3rd) and attempted (91/4th), steals per game (1.71/5th), 3-point FG pct (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 2023-24. 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).
In her first game since the end of the 2022-23 season, Skinner scored a career-high 30 points – the 17th time she scored 20 or more points in a Sun Devil uniform – in ASU's 74-66 win over Jacksonville State (Nov. 4). Brown led ASU in scoring (24 points) vs. Arkansas State (Nov. 8). Combined with Skinner's 16 points, the duo combined for 40 points in the game.
In ASU's 80-73 win over SMU (Nov. 16), Skinner (26 points) and Brown (25 points) combined for 51 points. In addition both Skinner (8-16 FGs, 5-10 3FGs) and Brown (10-18 FGs, 3-7 3FGs) were efficient with their opportunities as they teamed up to shoot 53 percent (18-34 FGs) from the field, including 47 percent (8-17) from long range. Both have scored in double figures in all but two games his season. Out of the 11 games ASU has played thus far, Skinner has led or tied ASU in scoring 5 times and Brown 4 times.
OUTSTANDING OFFENSE
Prior to its loss at Coppin State, ASU showed what its offense was capable of, eclipsing the 90-point mark for the second time this season in a 95-88 win over South Dakota (Nov. 27).
Five players – Parkinson (career-high 26 points, 12-13 FGs), Skinner (20 points, team high-tying seven assists, 6-11 3FGs, 6 rebounds), Brown (19 points, team-high 7 rebounds, 4 assists, career-high 4 blocks), Jyah LoVett (14 points, 5 assists) and Kennedy Fauntleroy (14 points, team high-tying 7 assists, 5 rebounds) – scored in double figures for the Sun Devils (4-3), who surpassed the 50-percent mark in shooting (52.2) for the second time this season.
ASU knocked down 12 triples, 2 short of tying school record of 14 and the most since hitting 13 against Marist on Nov. 21, 2021. All six of Skinner's field goals were from beyond the arc, one triple shy of tying the school record of seven accomplished by five Sun Devils, most recently Taya Hanson vs. Cal on New Year's Day in 2021.
As a team, the Sun Devils dished out 27 assists, the most helpers since it also had 27 vs. Arkansas on December 21, 2017. Earlier that season, the Sun Devils amassed a season-high 31 assists vs. Sacramento State on November 18, 2017.
MEET THE NEWCOMERS
Half the players on the 2024-25 squad are making their debut in the Maroon and Gold. Read on for a thumbnail summary of each player.
#0 /// Kennedy Basham /// F /// 6-7 /// Jr. /// Phoenix, Ariz.
• Kennedy Basham returned 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).
• Has started 34 of 58 career games (10 of 11 at ASU).
• 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 UW (Feb. 23) and followed that up with 14 points at WSU (Feb. 25) for her first career games in double figures.
AT ASU IN 2024-25
Has played in every game (10 starts) and currently leads ASU in blocks per game (2.7/8th in nation/2nd in Big 12) and rebs per game (7.1/13th in Big 12)... Grabbed career-high 13 rebs vs. GCU (Nov. 14)... Had strong ASU debut scoring 8 points, grabbing a game-high 10 rebs and blocking 4 shots vs. Jacksonville State (Nov. 4)... Accounted for 14 points and tied for the team lead in rebounds (6) vs. Arkansas State (Nov. 8)... Had first double-double as a Sun Devil (10 points, career-high 13 rebounds) and had 3 blocks vs. Grand Canyon (Nov. 14)... Had 3rd double-digit rebounding performance (10) and a career-high 6 blocks vs. OSU (Nov. 17)... Posted 6 points, 5 rebounds, and a game-high 5 blocks (one short of tying her career high) vs. UMES (Dec. 7)... Had tremendous all-around performance at San Francisco Dec. 17), scoring 12 points, grabbing 7 rebounds and had a career-high 7 blocks.
#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 3 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).
AT ASU IN 2024-25
Has played in every game (2 starts) and lis 2nd in 3FGs per game (1.2), 3rd in steals per game (1.5) and 4th in scoring (9.5 ppg)... Has also hit 91 pct of her FTs (10-11)... Has scored in double figures 5x and has recorded 3 or more steals 3x... Averaged 12.5 ppg in ASU's contests vs. Grand Canyon (10 points, season-high 4 steals) and vs. SMU (season-high 15 points)... Notched her second double-figure scoring game (14 points) vs. South Dakota (Nov. 27)... Scored 13 points at UMES (Dec. 7) and 14 points at San Francisco (Dec. 17).
#7 /// Jazion Jackson /// G /// 5-9 /// Grad. /// Dallas, Texas
• Transferred to ASU from Texas Tech. Unfortunately, didn't play after 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).
AT ASU IN 2024-25
Has started all 8 games she has played in and leads the team in steals (2.5 spg) and is 2nd in rebounds (6.8 rpg) and 4th in assists (2.1 apg)... Made her Sun Devil debut in the season's 3rd game vs. Grand Canyon (Nov. 14)... Went over the 1,000-point mark in career points (had 999 coming in) vs. Grand Canyon (Nov. 14) after scoring 4 points to go with 5 rebounds and 2 steals... Had career-high 13 rebs vs. SMU (Nov. 16) and followed with a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds) vs. Oregon State (Nov. 17)... Scored 9 points, tied her career highs in steals (6) and blocks (2) and led ASU with 6 rebounds vs. UMES (Dec. 7).
#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).
AT ASU IN 2024-25
Has played in every game with 3 starts... Is currently 5th on the team in scoring (7.7 ppg) and 2nd in assists (2.5 apg) and steals (1.7 spg)... Scored 13 points and had a season-high 7 assists and 6 rebounds vs. Arkansas State (Nov. 8)... Scored season high-14 points and tied season high in assists (7) vs. South Dakota (Nov. 27)... Scored 11 points and tied season high in assists (4) and steals (7)... Remarkable game at San Francisco included 12 points, 6 rebounds and career-high 6 steals.
#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).
• Had career-high 10 rebs against UT Arlington (Jan. 13, 2024).
AT ASU IN 2024-25
• Has played in 5 games (averaging 8.5 mins per game)... Had season highs in rebounds (4) and steals (2) at San Francisco (Dec. 17).
#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: 1 season at Oklahoma (played 10 games) and 2 seasons at K-State (played 46 contests).
• Played in career-high 30 contests in first season at 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).
AT ASU IN 2024-25
Has played in 8 games and connected on 53.3 pct of her shots (8-15)... Pulled down 6 rebs in season opener vs. Jacksonville State (Nov. 4)... Scored 6 points and had 7 rebounds at UC Davis (Dec. 15)... Grabbed season high in rebounds (8) at San Francisco (Dec. 17).
#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 Texas by SB Live and selected to the TGCA All-State team.
• Prior to 2023-24 season, was 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/6.1 rebs in 3 seasons playing for Mauldin (S.C.).
#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).
AT ASU IN 2024-25
Has played in 9 games (8 starts)... Currently leads the team in FG pct. (52.1) and is 3rd in scoring (9.7 ppg) and rebs (5.6 rpg) ... Scored 8 points in ASU debut vs. Jacksonville St. (Nov. 4)... Tied then-career high with 18 points (8-10 FGs, 2-2 FTs) to go with 6 rebounds vs. Arkansas State (Nov. 9)... Pulled down a season-high 12 rebounds vs. SMU (Nov. 16)... Was named to the Music City Classic All-Tournament Team (vs. No. 14 Kentucky and South Dakota, Nov. 26-27)... Against Kentucky, came one rebound short of a double-double, scoring 9 of her 12 points & grabbing 7 of her nine 9 rebs in the 2nd half... Against South Dakota, she once again came off the bench and scored a team- and career-high 26 points... single-game FG pct. of 92.3 on 12 of 13 shooting was the best individual performance by a Sun Devil attempting 10 or more shots in a game since Betsy Boardman made all 10 of her shots (1.000) vs. UCLA on February 17, 2001... Was also ASU's top rebounder in the two contests (6.5 rebounds per game)... Came one point short of a double-double (9 points/10 rebounds) at Coppin State (Dec. 5)... DNP at UC Davis (Dec. 15).
BACK FOR MORE
Eight players are back from 2023-24, each with the ability to help the Sun Devils climb even higher in the first season of the Big 12.
#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 56 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).
2024-25
• Has played in 4 contests.
#3 /// Tyi Skinner /// G /// 5-5 /// Grad. /// Washington, D.C.
• Transferred to ASU after the 2021-22 season and made immediate impact averaging 19.3 ppg in 2022-23, most by a Sun Devil since 1988-89.
• Missed entire 2023-24 season due to injury.
• Has started 71/100 games, including all 39 she has played at ASU.
2024-25
• Has started every game and is currently among the nation's top 60 in scoring (17.9 ppg/60th in nation/6th in Big 12), 3-pointers (2.55 per game/49th in 3-pointers/6th in Big 12). In the Big 12, is 2nd in minutes per game (34.39), 5th in FT pct. (85.4), 9th in 3-point pct. (37.3), 17th in assists per game (3.5) and 19th in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.18)
• Has scored in double figures in all but two games this season.
• In her first game since the end of the 2022-23 season (missed entire 2023-24 season due to injury), Skinner scored a career-high 30 points – the 17th time she scored 20 or more points in a Sun Devil uniform – in ASU's 74-66 win over Jacksonville State on Nov. 4.
• Had consecutive 20-point games (26 vs. SMU and 21 vs. Oregon State) in ASU's two wins in the annual Briann January Classic... In those two wins, averaged 23.5 points and was 59 percent from the floor (16-27) and 50 percent from beyond the arc (6-12).
• Once again came one 3-pointer short of tying single-game school record with 6 at San Francisco (Dec. 17). Ended game with 27 points.
#13 /// Maggie Besselink /// G/F /// 6-3 /// Grad. /// Kingston, Ontario
• Versatile scorer and outstanding rebounder.
• Has been limited to 51 games (35 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).
2024-25
• Made her 2024-25 debut vs. Grand Canyon (Nov. 14).
• Has played in last 9 games with 3 starts and is currently 4th on the team in rebounds (4.0 rpg) and leads the team in O-rebs (1.8 rpg).
• Grabbed season-high 12 boards (one short of matching career high) at UC Davis (Dec. 15).
• Pulled down seven boards vs. No. 14 Kentucky (Nov. 26).
#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.
• 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).
2024-25
• Has played in 5 games and is averaging 5.2 minutes per game.
• Grabbed 2 rebounds at San Francisco (Dec. 17).
#23 /// Jalyn Brown /// G /// 6-1 /// Jr. /// Baltimore, Md.
• Transferred to ASU in 2023 after playing freshman season at Louisville.
• As the 2023-24 season progressed, evolved into one of the top performers in the Pac-12. In league games, finished 3rd in scoring (19.6 ppg), 9th in FT percent (80.6) and tied for 14th in 3-pointers per game (1.56).
• Is the owner of the 2 highest-scoring games by a Sun Devil since 2000: 35 vs. CU (Jan. 7, 2024) & 34 points at UW (Jan. 21, 2024).
2024-25
• Has started every game and is currently 2nd on the team in scoring (16.3 ppg/14th in Big 12), blocks (1.1 bpg/11th in the Big 12), 3 FGs per game (1.2), is 3rd in assists per game (2.3) and 5th in rebounds (3.4 rpg).
• Has scored in double figures 8x, including a season-high 25 points vs. SMU (Nov. 16). Also dished out a career-high 5 assists vs. Arkansas State (Nov. 8) and vs. SMU (Nov. 16).
• Led ASU in scoring (17 points) & had 6 rebs at Coppin St. (Dec. 5).
• Had third 20-point game of the season with game-high 21 points at UC Davis (Dec. 15).
#24 /// Mallory Miller /// F /// 6-4 /// So. /// Aberdeen, S.D.
• Had solid freshman campaign, making important contributions as the season progressed.
• Younger sister Hanna plays for the Sun Devils.
• Played in 27 contests (4 starts - last 4 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).
2024-25
• Has yet to play due to injury.
#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.
WHEN: Saturday at 4 p.m. MST
WHERE: Jon M. Huntsman Center • Salt Lake City, Utah
WATCH: ESPN+
RADIO: KDUS AM 1060
LIVE STATS: Click here
UP NEXT
The Sun Devil women's basketball team (5-6, 0-0 Big 12) will play its first ever Big 12 Conference game on Saturday (4 p.m. MST) when it travels to Salt Lake City to take on Utah (9-2, 0-0 Big 12).
WATCH/LISTEN
Saturday's game at Utah can be seen on ESPN+ (Krista Blunk, Angela Taylor). It 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 21st season as the voice of ASU WBB.
SERIES NOTES
• ASU has won 11 of the last 18 meetings – or 11 of 19 counting game ASU had to forfeit at Utah in 2022-23 due to not having enough healthy players. Utah has won 4 of the last 7 contests decided on the court, most recently in last year's Pac-12 Tournament opening round, 71-60. The Sun Devils led by two after one quarter, were within four points at the half and – but for a fluky sequence in the final seconds of the third quarter – had a chance to be within two possessions entering the final 10 minutes.
• During a three-season stretch between 2018-20, the two teams played four consecutive games that were each decided by two points and a fifth in which the margin of victory was four.
• On Feb. 17, 2019, ASU pulled off the biggest comeback in school history when it scored the last 20 points of the game to erase an 18-point deficit.
RANKINGS OF NOTE
• Through games played Dec. 18, ASU is ranked among the top 60 teams in the nation in FT pct (16th/78.4/2nd in Big 12), blocks per game (24th/5.1/5th in Big 12) and defensive rebounds per game (48th/28.5/6th in Big 12).
• ASU is also ranked in the top half of the Big 12 in rebounds per game(40.4/6th), FTs made per game (8th/13.2), and offensive rebounds per game (12.0/8th)
• Individually, Kennedy Basham is 8th the in the nation in blocks per game (2.7/2nd in Big 12) and Tyi Skinner is 49th in 3-pointers per game (2.55/6th in the Big 12) and 60th in points per game (17.9/6th in Big 12).
• ASU also has several players ranked among the Top 20 in the Big 12: Skinner is 2nd in minutes per game (34.39), 5th in FT pct. (85.4), 9th in 3-point pct. (37.3), 17th in assists per game (3.5) and 19th in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.18); Jalyn Brown is 11th blocks per game (1.1), 14th in scoring (16.3 ppg) and 15th in FT pct (76.3) and Basham is 13th in rebounds per game (7.1).
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Saturday's league opener at Utah will conclude a stretch of seven consecutive games in which ASU has on the road for either a neutral site contest or as the away team in a true road game.
• After wins over SMU (80-73 on Nov. 16) and former Pac-12 foe Oregon State (79-60 on Nov. 17) in the annual Briann January Classic, the Sun Devils split their contests at the Music City Classic in Nashville, Tenn., falling to No. 14 Kentucky 77-61 (Nov. 26) and beating South Dakota 95-88 (Nov. 27) . Nevaeh Parkinson was named to the Music City Classic All-Tournament Team. Against South Dakota, Parkinson scored a team- and career-high 26 points. Parkinson's single-game field goal percentage of 92.3 percent on 12 of 13 shooting vs. South Dakota, was the best individual performance for a Sun Devil attempting 10 or more shots in a game since Betsy Boardman made all 10 of her shots (1.000) vs. UCLA on February 17, 2001. Parkinson was also ASU's top rebounder in the two contests (6.5 rebounds per game).
• Next it was off to the DMV where the Sun Devils once split their two contests, falling at Coppin State 74-68 in OT (Dec. 5) before coming back to defeat UMES 64-57 (Dec. 7) in the Coaches vs. Racism Roundball Classic played in Washington DC. The game at Coppin State was ASU's first true 'road game' of the season. Brown (14.5 ppg) and Skinner (13.5 ppg) both averaged double figures in the two games. At Coppin State, ASU came back from nine points down to take a 59-55 lead with 3:33 remaining. The Sun Devils led 68-67 with 1:28 remaining in OT before the Eagles closed the game with a 9-0 run to claim the win. Against UMES, ASU was phenomenal on the defensive end where it allowed the fewest points in a game this season and had season bests in steals (15) and blocked shots (9) and forced 32 turnovers, 13 more than the previous opponent high of 19 by Oregon State in last month's Briann January Classic.
• Most recently, the Sun Devils headed to Northern California and the Bay Area for games at UC Davis (Dec. 15) and at San Francisco (Dec. 17). For the Sun Devils, the game at UC Davis was its first in eight days due to final exams. It was be the second time ASU has had more than a week in between games. Last month ASU had a nine-day gap: After defeating OSU in its most last home game on Nov. 17, it did not play again until it left the state for the first time this season to compete in the Coast2Coast Music City Classic in Nashville (Nov. 26 vs. then-No. 14 Kentucky and Nov. 27 vs. South Dakota).
• Despite a stout defensive effort and a plus-12 advantage on the boards, ASU came up on the short end of a 57-50 decision at UC Davis last Sunday. For the second straight game ASU held the opposition to the fewest points its given up this season. It also allowed the Aggies to shoot only 37 percent. Unfortunately for ASU, it struggled to put the ball in the basket as it made just 28 percent of its shots and knocked down one of its 14 attempts from long range. Brown led all scorers with 21 points to go with three steals. Leading ASU's effort on the boards was Maggie Besselink, who had game highs in rebounds (12) and offensive rebounds (7). For Besselink, who also had scored four points, her 12 boards were one short of matching her career high of 13 vs. USC on Mar. 3, 2021.
• Despite a game-high 27 points from Skinner, ASU lost at San Francisco, 67-64, on Tuesday. For the second time this season, Skinner came within one 3-triple of tying the single-game school record after knocking down six vs. the Dons. The difference in the game was at the free throw line, not in accuracy – ASU made 82 pct of its attempts and San Francisco made 83 pct – but in the number of opportunities. By game's end, the Dons had more than three times as many attempts (29-35) ASU (9-11).
PROGRESS NOT ALWAYS MEASURED IN WINS AND LOSSES
The Sun Devils, who have eight new players on this season's roster, have experienced the ups and downs that can sometimes go with combining the talents of several outstanding players early in the season. That factor alone could account for the Sun Devils' current 5-6 record. The fact of the matter is, the Sun Devils could just as easily be 10-1 right now...
• Against Arkansas State, the Sun Devils trailed by 13 with 6:15 remaining. After a 19-5 run, ASU was suddenly up be one with 1:01 remaining. Arkansas State scored the last five points of the game to claim the win.
• After going into the half with a 42-33 win vs. Grand Canyon, the Sun Devils were outscored 37-17 in the second half.
• At Coppin State, the Sun Devils were unable to score in the final 53 seconds to break a 61-61 tie. The Eagles would go on to win in OT.
• Despite a stout defensive effort and a plus-12 advantage on the boards, the Sun Devils came up on the short end of a 57-50 decision at UC Davis. For the second straight game the Sun Devils held the opposition to the fewest points they have given up this season and allowed the Aggies to shoot only 37 percent. Unfortunately for ASU, it struggled to put the ball in the basket as it made just 28 percent of its shots and knocked down one of its 14 attempts from long range. Down by eight entering the fourth quarter, the Sun Devils did not show any letup, methodically trimming the Aggies' advantage. Besselink's layup got the Sun Devils within two points, 44-42, with 5:36 remaining. ASU was within one possession three more times but did not come away with points in each instance. After Besselink's earlier field goal got ASU within two, the Sun Devils were only able to connect on three of their 14 shot attempts in the final five minutes of the game.
• At San Francisco, the Sun Devils were unable to take advantage of a 27-point performance from Skinner and a career-high and a tremendous all-around performance from Basham, who scored 12 points, grabbed seven rebounds and had a career-high seven blocks. The difference in the game was at the free throw line, not in accuracy – ASU made 82 percent of its attempts and San Francisco made 83 percent – but in the number of opportunities. By game's end, the Dons had more than three times as many attempts (29-35) as the Sun Devils (9-11). Still the Sun Devils were tied at 57-57 with 1:09 remaining. After the Dons took a six-point lead, Skinner knocked down a pair of 3-pointers and missed on a third that would have tied the game and sent it to overtime.
DYNAMIC DUO DEBUT
The 2023-24 Sun Devils were dealt a serious blow when it was announced before 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 29 points twice. A starter in all 28 games, Skinner averaged 19.3 ppg, (most by a Sun Devil since the 1988-89 ). She concluded her first campaign as a Sun Devil 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), FTs made (79/3rd) and attempted (91/4th), steals per game (1.71/5th), 3-point FG pct (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 2023-24. 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).
In her first game since the end of the 2022-23 season, Skinner scored a career-high 30 points – the 17th time she scored 20 or more points in a Sun Devil uniform – in ASU's 74-66 win over Jacksonville State (Nov. 4). Brown led ASU in scoring (24 points) vs. Arkansas State (Nov. 8). Combined with Skinner's 16 points, the duo combined for 40 points in the game.
In ASU's 80-73 win over SMU (Nov. 16), Skinner (26 points) and Brown (25 points) combined for 51 points. In addition both Skinner (8-16 FGs, 5-10 3FGs) and Brown (10-18 FGs, 3-7 3FGs) were efficient with their opportunities as they teamed up to shoot 53 percent (18-34 FGs) from the field, including 47 percent (8-17) from long range. Both have scored in double figures in all but two games his season. Out of the 11 games ASU has played thus far, Skinner has led or tied ASU in scoring 5 times and Brown 4 times.
OUTSTANDING OFFENSE
Prior to its loss at Coppin State, ASU showed what its offense was capable of, eclipsing the 90-point mark for the second time this season in a 95-88 win over South Dakota (Nov. 27).
Five players – Parkinson (career-high 26 points, 12-13 FGs), Skinner (20 points, team high-tying seven assists, 6-11 3FGs, 6 rebounds), Brown (19 points, team-high 7 rebounds, 4 assists, career-high 4 blocks), Jyah LoVett (14 points, 5 assists) and Kennedy Fauntleroy (14 points, team high-tying 7 assists, 5 rebounds) – scored in double figures for the Sun Devils (4-3), who surpassed the 50-percent mark in shooting (52.2) for the second time this season.
ASU knocked down 12 triples, 2 short of tying school record of 14 and the most since hitting 13 against Marist on Nov. 21, 2021. All six of Skinner's field goals were from beyond the arc, one triple shy of tying the school record of seven accomplished by five Sun Devils, most recently Taya Hanson vs. Cal on New Year's Day in 2021.
As a team, the Sun Devils dished out 27 assists, the most helpers since it also had 27 vs. Arkansas on December 21, 2017. Earlier that season, the Sun Devils amassed a season-high 31 assists vs. Sacramento State on November 18, 2017.
MEET THE NEWCOMERS
Half the players on the 2024-25 squad are making their debut in the Maroon and Gold. Read on for a thumbnail summary of each player.
#0 /// Kennedy Basham /// F /// 6-7 /// Jr. /// Phoenix, Ariz.
• Kennedy Basham returned 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).
• Has started 34 of 58 career games (10 of 11 at ASU).
• 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 UW (Feb. 23) and followed that up with 14 points at WSU (Feb. 25) for her first career games in double figures.
AT ASU IN 2024-25
Has played in every game (10 starts) and currently leads ASU in blocks per game (2.7/8th in nation/2nd in Big 12) and rebs per game (7.1/13th in Big 12)... Grabbed career-high 13 rebs vs. GCU (Nov. 14)... Had strong ASU debut scoring 8 points, grabbing a game-high 10 rebs and blocking 4 shots vs. Jacksonville State (Nov. 4)... Accounted for 14 points and tied for the team lead in rebounds (6) vs. Arkansas State (Nov. 8)... Had first double-double as a Sun Devil (10 points, career-high 13 rebounds) and had 3 blocks vs. Grand Canyon (Nov. 14)... Had 3rd double-digit rebounding performance (10) and a career-high 6 blocks vs. OSU (Nov. 17)... Posted 6 points, 5 rebounds, and a game-high 5 blocks (one short of tying her career high) vs. UMES (Dec. 7)... Had tremendous all-around performance at San Francisco Dec. 17), scoring 12 points, grabbing 7 rebounds and had a career-high 7 blocks.
#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 3 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).
AT ASU IN 2024-25
Has played in every game (2 starts) and lis 2nd in 3FGs per game (1.2), 3rd in steals per game (1.5) and 4th in scoring (9.5 ppg)... Has also hit 91 pct of her FTs (10-11)... Has scored in double figures 5x and has recorded 3 or more steals 3x... Averaged 12.5 ppg in ASU's contests vs. Grand Canyon (10 points, season-high 4 steals) and vs. SMU (season-high 15 points)... Notched her second double-figure scoring game (14 points) vs. South Dakota (Nov. 27)... Scored 13 points at UMES (Dec. 7) and 14 points at San Francisco (Dec. 17).
#7 /// Jazion Jackson /// G /// 5-9 /// Grad. /// Dallas, Texas
• Transferred to ASU from Texas Tech. Unfortunately, didn't play after 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).
AT ASU IN 2024-25
Has started all 8 games she has played in and leads the team in steals (2.5 spg) and is 2nd in rebounds (6.8 rpg) and 4th in assists (2.1 apg)... Made her Sun Devil debut in the season's 3rd game vs. Grand Canyon (Nov. 14)... Went over the 1,000-point mark in career points (had 999 coming in) vs. Grand Canyon (Nov. 14) after scoring 4 points to go with 5 rebounds and 2 steals... Had career-high 13 rebs vs. SMU (Nov. 16) and followed with a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds) vs. Oregon State (Nov. 17)... Scored 9 points, tied her career highs in steals (6) and blocks (2) and led ASU with 6 rebounds vs. UMES (Dec. 7).
#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).
AT ASU IN 2024-25
Has played in every game with 3 starts... Is currently 5th on the team in scoring (7.7 ppg) and 2nd in assists (2.5 apg) and steals (1.7 spg)... Scored 13 points and had a season-high 7 assists and 6 rebounds vs. Arkansas State (Nov. 8)... Scored season high-14 points and tied season high in assists (7) vs. South Dakota (Nov. 27)... Scored 11 points and tied season high in assists (4) and steals (7)... Remarkable game at San Francisco included 12 points, 6 rebounds and career-high 6 steals.
#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).
• Had career-high 10 rebs against UT Arlington (Jan. 13, 2024).
AT ASU IN 2024-25
• Has played in 5 games (averaging 8.5 mins per game)... Had season highs in rebounds (4) and steals (2) at San Francisco (Dec. 17).
#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: 1 season at Oklahoma (played 10 games) and 2 seasons at K-State (played 46 contests).
• Played in career-high 30 contests in first season at 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).
AT ASU IN 2024-25
Has played in 8 games and connected on 53.3 pct of her shots (8-15)... Pulled down 6 rebs in season opener vs. Jacksonville State (Nov. 4)... Scored 6 points and had 7 rebounds at UC Davis (Dec. 15)... Grabbed season high in rebounds (8) at San Francisco (Dec. 17).
#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 Texas by SB Live and selected to the TGCA All-State team.
• Prior to 2023-24 season, was 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/6.1 rebs in 3 seasons playing for Mauldin (S.C.).
#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).
AT ASU IN 2024-25
Has played in 9 games (8 starts)... Currently leads the team in FG pct. (52.1) and is 3rd in scoring (9.7 ppg) and rebs (5.6 rpg) ... Scored 8 points in ASU debut vs. Jacksonville St. (Nov. 4)... Tied then-career high with 18 points (8-10 FGs, 2-2 FTs) to go with 6 rebounds vs. Arkansas State (Nov. 9)... Pulled down a season-high 12 rebounds vs. SMU (Nov. 16)... Was named to the Music City Classic All-Tournament Team (vs. No. 14 Kentucky and South Dakota, Nov. 26-27)... Against Kentucky, came one rebound short of a double-double, scoring 9 of her 12 points & grabbing 7 of her nine 9 rebs in the 2nd half... Against South Dakota, she once again came off the bench and scored a team- and career-high 26 points... single-game FG pct. of 92.3 on 12 of 13 shooting was the best individual performance by a Sun Devil attempting 10 or more shots in a game since Betsy Boardman made all 10 of her shots (1.000) vs. UCLA on February 17, 2001... Was also ASU's top rebounder in the two contests (6.5 rebounds per game)... Came one point short of a double-double (9 points/10 rebounds) at Coppin State (Dec. 5)... DNP at UC Davis (Dec. 15).
BACK FOR MORE
Eight players are back from 2023-24, each with the ability to help the Sun Devils climb even higher in the first season of the Big 12.
#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 56 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).
2024-25
• Has played in 4 contests.
#3 /// Tyi Skinner /// G /// 5-5 /// Grad. /// Washington, D.C.
• Transferred to ASU after the 2021-22 season and made immediate impact averaging 19.3 ppg in 2022-23, most by a Sun Devil since 1988-89.
• Missed entire 2023-24 season due to injury.
• Has started 71/100 games, including all 39 she has played at ASU.
2024-25
• Has started every game and is currently among the nation's top 60 in scoring (17.9 ppg/60th in nation/6th in Big 12), 3-pointers (2.55 per game/49th in 3-pointers/6th in Big 12). In the Big 12, is 2nd in minutes per game (34.39), 5th in FT pct. (85.4), 9th in 3-point pct. (37.3), 17th in assists per game (3.5) and 19th in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.18)
• Has scored in double figures in all but two games this season.
• In her first game since the end of the 2022-23 season (missed entire 2023-24 season due to injury), Skinner scored a career-high 30 points – the 17th time she scored 20 or more points in a Sun Devil uniform – in ASU's 74-66 win over Jacksonville State on Nov. 4.
• Had consecutive 20-point games (26 vs. SMU and 21 vs. Oregon State) in ASU's two wins in the annual Briann January Classic... In those two wins, averaged 23.5 points and was 59 percent from the floor (16-27) and 50 percent from beyond the arc (6-12).
• Once again came one 3-pointer short of tying single-game school record with 6 at San Francisco (Dec. 17). Ended game with 27 points.
#13 /// Maggie Besselink /// G/F /// 6-3 /// Grad. /// Kingston, Ontario
• Versatile scorer and outstanding rebounder.
• Has been limited to 51 games (35 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).
2024-25
• Made her 2024-25 debut vs. Grand Canyon (Nov. 14).
• Has played in last 9 games with 3 starts and is currently 4th on the team in rebounds (4.0 rpg) and leads the team in O-rebs (1.8 rpg).
• Grabbed season-high 12 boards (one short of matching career high) at UC Davis (Dec. 15).
• Pulled down seven boards vs. No. 14 Kentucky (Nov. 26).
#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.
• 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).
2024-25
• Has played in 5 games and is averaging 5.2 minutes per game.
• Grabbed 2 rebounds at San Francisco (Dec. 17).
#23 /// Jalyn Brown /// G /// 6-1 /// Jr. /// Baltimore, Md.
• Transferred to ASU in 2023 after playing freshman season at Louisville.
• As the 2023-24 season progressed, evolved into one of the top performers in the Pac-12. In league games, finished 3rd in scoring (19.6 ppg), 9th in FT percent (80.6) and tied for 14th in 3-pointers per game (1.56).
• Is the owner of the 2 highest-scoring games by a Sun Devil since 2000: 35 vs. CU (Jan. 7, 2024) & 34 points at UW (Jan. 21, 2024).
2024-25
• Has started every game and is currently 2nd on the team in scoring (16.3 ppg/14th in Big 12), blocks (1.1 bpg/11th in the Big 12), 3 FGs per game (1.2), is 3rd in assists per game (2.3) and 5th in rebounds (3.4 rpg).
• Has scored in double figures 8x, including a season-high 25 points vs. SMU (Nov. 16). Also dished out a career-high 5 assists vs. Arkansas State (Nov. 8) and vs. SMU (Nov. 16).
• Led ASU in scoring (17 points) & had 6 rebs at Coppin St. (Dec. 5).
• Had third 20-point game of the season with game-high 21 points at UC Davis (Dec. 15).
#24 /// Mallory Miller /// F /// 6-4 /// So. /// Aberdeen, S.D.
• Had solid freshman campaign, making important contributions as the season progressed.
• Younger sister Hanna plays for the Sun Devils.
• Played in 27 contests (4 starts - last 4 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).
2024-25
• Has yet to play due to injury.
#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.