TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State University head women's basketball coach Charli Turner Thorne today announced that former UConn guard Courtney Ekmark will be transferring into the Sun Devil women's basketball program.
Ekmark, who just completed her sophomore season for the Huskies, will have to sit out next season per NCAA transfer rules and then will have two years of eligibility beginning with the 2017-18 season.
"I've know Courtney since she was nine years old and it is so exciting to welcome her home. She was one of the greatest high school players ever to come out of the state of Arizona and we are ecstatic beyond words that she is joining our program," Turner Thorne said. "Courtney is a player who can do it all and she will have an incredible impact in every part of the game. For those that don't know Courtney, her competitive spirit and work ethic are simply in the 99th percentile among college basketball players. Complementing her exceptional talent and toughness is Courtney's giving and passionate nature that will fit perfectly into our culture. She comes from an amazing family that we are very grateful is now part of our Sun Devil family."
Ekmark will be returning to the Valley where she helped lead St. Mary's High School to an 87-3 record (included a 49-game winning streak), three straight Division I State Titles, a No. 1 ranking in the USA Today Super 25 in 2012 and a No. 2 ranking in 2013. Ekmark was named the state of Arizona's Gatorade Player of the Year following a junior season in which she averaged 19.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 steals. In the 2013 state tournament, she averaged 21.5 points in helping lead the Knights to the title. In the 49-37 championship game win over Pinnacle, Ekmark had a game-high 14 points, becoming the first Arizona player to be the top scorer in three consecutive championship games. In addition to her outstanding play on the hardwood, Ekmark also excelled on the tennis court for St. Mary's, earning the top singles spot on the team.
As a member of UConn's two most recent NCAA championship teams, Ekmark played in 61 games, including 10 of the Huskies' 12 NCAA Tournament games. She averaged 9.3 minutes per game during those two seasons and connected on 38 percent of her field goal attempts. As a freshman, Ekmark missed six weeks early in the season because of a stress fracture.
Ekmark is the second player to transfer to ASU since the conclusion of the 2015-16 season. On May 20 Turner Thorne announced that four-year transfer Sara Hattis would be joining the Sun Devils from Texas. Hattis will be eligible to play next season.
The 2016-17 Sun Devils return three senior starters – posts Sophie Brunner, Quinn Dornstauder and Kelsey Moos – from the 2015-16 squad that captured a share of the Pac-12 regular season title, won 26 games (tied for third-highest win total in program history) and went on to earn a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the highest placement in program history.
Turner Thorne, who has led the Sun Devils to the postseason 16 of the last 17 years (including 11 NCAA Tournament appearances) and was the 2016 Pac-12 Head Coach of the Year, returns for her 20th season. In addition to the aforementioned senior starters, Turner Thorne will also welcome a five-member freshman class – Sydney Goodson, Reili Richardson, Jamie Ruden, Kiara Russell and Robbi Ryan – that was ranked among the nation's top 10 signing classes when it was announced last fall.
Season ticket renewals have started for the 2016-17 Sun Devil women's basketball campaign. Fans have until July 28 to renew and receive loyalty pricing and guarantee the same seats as last season. Click here for more information.