THE GAME: Sun Devil WBB (5-1) at Grand Canyon (5-0)
WHEN: Wednesday at 7 p.m. MST
WHERE: GCU Arena • Phoenix, Ariz.
WATCH: FOX 10 Xtra (Ch. 45, Cable 9), ESPN+ (subscription required)
RADIO: KDUS AM 1060
LIVE STATS: Click here
UP NEXT
The Sun Devil women's basketball team (5-1) concludes its five-game road trip on Wednesday (7 p.m. MST) when it makes the short ride to Phoenix to take on unbeaten Grand Canyon University (5-0).
After starting the season with a pair of home games – defeated NAU 69-68 on Nov. 7 and Grambling State 62-49 on Nov. 7 – ASU started its current road trip with a 79-64 win at 2022 Big Sky Tournament champion/2022 NCAA Tournament participant Montana State (Nov. 15). ASU scored the first 20 points and led by as many as 27. Tyi Skinner (game-high 24 points on 9-of-18 shooting) came within a point of matching her career high in scoring while accounting for a career-best four steals. Treasure Hunt scored a career-high 19 points while leading the team with seven rebounds.
On Nov. 20, ASU had to go to overtime to remain unbeaten in a hard-fought 83-77 win at New Mexico. Skinner posted her second straight 24-point outing, while Kayla Mokwuah (16 points, 13 rebounds), Jaddan Simmons (16 points) and Hunt (15 points, career-high 15 rebounds) also scored in double figures for the Sun Devils, who had to battle back from a five-point deficit in the final minutes to force overtime.
On Nov. 25, Skinner posted her third consecutive 24-point game, scoring 14 of ASU's 22 fourth-quarter points to help the Sun Devils outlast American, 70-61 at the Goombay Splash (played in Bimini, Bahamas) to improve ASU's record to 5-0 for the first time since 2002-03.
The following day, ASU came out on the short end for the first time this season, but not before showing it could play with one of the nation's best teams in an 85-65 setback to seventh-ranked Notre Dame. The Sun Devils led the Irish by three points at the half and were tied with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter before Notre Dame used a 12-2 run to gain control of the game on its way to the win. Skinner (15 points), Simmons (14 points) and Crisp (11 points) combined for 40 of ASU's points. Skinner, who was named to the Goombay Division All-Tournament Team of the 2022 Goombay Splash, also paced ASU with a game-high three steals. Meg Newman was perfect from the floor (3-3 FGs) and grabbed a game-high seven rebounds.
The Sun Devils started out the Natasha Adair era with a 69-68 win vs. Northern Arizona on Nov. 7. Simmons tied her career high with 22 points while junior Skinner added 12 points. In her debut for the Sun Devils, Newman, who redshirted last season due to injury, nearly had a near double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds. ASU held the Lumberjacks to zero points in the final three minutes of play and Simmons hit the game-tying and go-ahead free throws to get the hard-earned win.
ASU's win over Grambling State on Nov. 11 came in much less dramatic fashion as it led by 16 in the middle of the third quarter. After the Lady Tigers got back within nine points less than two minutes into the final frame, Skinner personally made sure ASU did not have a second-consecutive, one-possession game as she scored 11 of her game-high 16 points – and 11 of ASU's 16 points as a team – in the final quarter. Skinner could not miss as she swished all four of her field goals, including a pair of makes from downtown and hit the only free throw she attempted.
NOTES ON THE OPPOSITION
Grand Canyon comes into the game with an unblemished 5-0 record. GCU is ranked among the top 20 teams in the nation in steals per game (1st/18.8), scoring margin (7th/+33.0), assists per game (8th/19.8), field goal percentage (17th/48.5) and scoring defense (17th/51.2 ppg). The Sun Devils have won the only two meetings with the most recent meeting taking place in December of 1994.
SEE YOU IN DECEMBER
ASU's game at Montana State on Nov. 15 started a stretch in which the ASU would be playing five consecutive games away from Desert Financial Arena. The string of games started with wins at Montana State (Nov. 15) and at New Mexico (Nov. 20) and were followed by split at last week's Goombay Splash in The Bahamas: defeated American 70-61 and lost to No. 7 Notre Dame 85-65.
After Wednesday's game at Grand Canyon, ASU will be back in Desert Financial Arena this weekend to take on UMass (Dec. 2) and Missouri (Dec. 4) as part of the inaugural Briann January Classic. Sunday's game vs. Missouri will conclude a period in which ASU will have played six games in 15 days. The Sun Devils will then play two games over the next 25 days – at Stephen F. Austin (Dec. 11) and vs. Prairie View A&M (Dec. 17). The treadmill will speed back up in a hurry for the Sun Devils as they will open Pac-12 play with three road games in five days: at Arizona (Dec. 29), at Stanford (Dec. 31), at Cal (Jan. 2).
EARLY TRENDS
• Three Sun Devils are averaging double figures in scoring: junior guard and Delaware transfer Tyi Skinner (19.2 ppg) returning junior guard Jaddan Simmons (15.2 ppg) and junior guard and Kentucky transfer Treasure Hunt (11.0 ppg). Skinner has the highest single-game point total by a Sun Devil after scoring 24 points (one point short of her career high) in three consecutive games at Montana State (Nov. 15), at New Mexico (Nov. 20) and vs. American at the Goombay Splash (Nov. 25). Simmons tied her career high in scoring with 22 points vs. NAU (Nov. 7). Hunt poured in a career-high 19 points at Montana State (Nov. 15).
• Skinner is also leading the team in 3-pointers (1.7 per game), assists per game (2.3) and steals per game (2.7).
• Simmons leads the team in free throws made (32), attempted (35), free throw percentage (91.4), 3-point FG percentage (35.7) and blocked shots per game (0.8). She is also second in scoring (15.2 ppg), assists per game (2.3) and steals per game (1.2).
• Hunt is nearly averaging a double-double: 11.0 ppg and 8.7 rpg. Hunt became the first Sun Devil to account for a double-double this season with 13 points and 11 rebounds in ASU's win over Grambling State (Nov. 11). She added her second with 15 points and a career-high 15 rebounds in ASU's OT win at New Mexico (Nov. 20).
• In addition to Hunt (10.3 rpg), Meg Newman (6.0 rpg), grad center and TCU transfer Kayla Mokwuah (5.5 rpg), and Simmons (3.8 rpg) have been ASU's top performers on the glass. Mokwuah and Newman are tied for the team lead in offensive rebounds per game (2.7).
• Newman, who made her Sun Devil debut in the 2022-23 season opener after missing the 2021-22 campaign due to injury, came up just short of claiming the first double-double of the season after her nine-point, 11-rebound outing vs. NAU. Newman's final rebound of the game sealed ASU's 69-68 win as she boarded NAU's initial attempt to win the game on its final possession. Newman (7.5 rpg) and Isadora Sousa (7.0 rpg/career-high 12 rebounds vs. American) were ASU's top rebounders at the Goombay Splash (Nov. 25-26).
• Freshman guard Trayanna Crisp 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).
• Skinner and Simmons are the only two Sun Devils who have scored in double figures in every game this season.
• Nine different Sun Devils are averaging at least 7.3 minutes this season.
TIMELY DEVIL DEFENSE CONTRIBUTES TO SUCCESS
When ASU's defense has needed to be its best, it has answered the call.
• NAU did not score after going up 68-64 with 3:01 remaining (Nov. 7). ASU scored the game's last five points to edge NAU 69-68.
• In ASU's 79-64 win at Montana State, ASU's defense – and offense – both put on dominant performances early on as the Sun Devils scored the game's first 20 points in their eventual 79-64 win.
• ASU outscored New Mexico a combined 15-4 in the last two minutes of regulation (9-4 to force overtime) and overtime (6-0 to take control of the game) to come away with an 83-77 road win.
RANKINGS OF NOTE (AS OF NOV. 29)
• As a team, ASU is ranked among the top third in the Pac-12 in fewest turnovers per game (1st/18th in the nation), FT attempts per game (3rd/34th in the nation), FTs made per game (3rd/31st in the nation), rebounds per game (4th) and 3-point FG percentage defense (4th).
• Skinner is 3rd in the Pac-12 in scoring (19.2 ppg), 2nd in steals per game (2.67) and 10th in free throw percentage (80.6).
• Simmons is 2nd in the Pac-12 in free throw percentage (91.4) and 7th in points per game (15.2).
• Hunt is 2nd in the Pac-12 defensive rebounds per game (7.0) and 6th in rebounds per game (8.7).
DEVILS NAVIGATING CHALLENGING NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Contests against eight teams that qualified for postseason play last season highlight the ASU's 2022 non-conference schedule.
ASU will play five of their non-conference contests at home, including tilts against 2022 NCAA Tournament participant and Atlantic-10 champion UMass (Dec. 2) and 2022 WNIT participant Missouri (Dec. 4).
At the Goombay Splash (Nov. 25-26/Bimini, Bahamas) ASU faced two 2022 NCAA Tournament teams in the form of Notre Dame (NCAA Third Round/L, 65-85) and American (NCAA First Round and Patriot League Tournament champions/W, 70-61).
Other teams ASU will face that qualified for 2022 postseason play include road contests against Montana State (Nov. 15/NCAA First Round/W, 74-61), New Mexico (Nov. 20/WNIT Third Round, W, 83-77-OT), Grand Canyon (Nov. 30/WNIT First Round) and Stephen F. Austin (Dec. 11/NCAA First Round).
SUN DEVIL WBB ANNOUNCES BRIANN JANUARY CLASSIC
To kick off the month of December, Sun Devil Women's Basketball will host the inaugural Briann January Classic from Dec. 2-4 at Desert Financial Arena.
The event honors January, a Sun Devil Hall of Famer who ended her college career at or near the top of several ASU career statistical categories, including assists (first/now second), FT percentage (first), steals (second), FTs (second), 3-point FG pct (fourth), 3-point FGs (fifth/now seventh) and points (seventh/now ninth).
The Briann January Classic will feature three games in three days, starting when the Sun Devils host UMass on Fri., Dec. 2 at 6 pm at Desert Financial Arena. The following day, UMass will face Missouri at 3 pm. The inaugural Briann January Classic will conclude on Sun., Dec. 4 when the Sun Devils take on Missouri at 12:30 p.m.
NOTES ON THE 2022-23 ROSTER
• New Sun Devil head coach Natasha Adair and her staff did an outstanding job of bringing in several talented players capable of making an immediate impact to join the core of talent that chose to commit to Adair after she was named head coach in late March. After a national search, Adair was hired to assume the vacancy left by Sun Devil Hall of Fame coach Charli Turner Thorne, who announced her retirement at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season.
• Guards Jaddan Simmons, Sydney Erikstrup, Isadora Sousa, G/F Maggie Besselink and posts Imogen Greenslade and Meg Newman all remained Sun Devils. All six players are expected to play significant roles this season. Although she was on last year's roster, Meg Newman did not make her Sun Devil debut until the first game of the 2022-23 season as she missed her entire freshman campaign due to injury.
• Another player who chose to stay with the school she originally committed to was incoming freshman and local product Trayanna Crisp, who signed with ASU in November 2021. Adair and her staff were already familiar with Crisp as they recruited the standout guard when they were at Delaware.
• Knowing everything ASU and Sun Devil Athletics has to offer, Adair and her staff were confident in their ability to sign the players they had identified from the pool of talent that included student-athletes in the transfer portal and freshman players who had yet to sign.
• Joining ASU from other college programs were a trio of impressive guards – sophomore Morasha Wiggins (North Carolina) and juniors Tyi Skinner (Delaware) and Treasure Hunt (Kentucky) – and an experienced post in fifth-year center Kayla Mokwuah (TCU).
• A pair of freshmen from Pennsylvania – guard Jaylah Robinson and post Journey Thompson – were also excited to come and be a part Adair's vision for Sun Devil Women's Basketball.
• Prior to the season, Adair summed up the process that took place over the offseason/fall camp of gelling the returners with the newcomers: "I think that's been the biggest thing we've focused on, especially in the off-season and summer when everyone got here. It's more about the culture of the team. You had six players that were here and then there was so much change. With the new players coming in, we still talked about why ASU? I think if you keep everyone focused on why ASU, their love for ASU, then it doesn't matter where the players came from. It's just where we are now. But we've spent so much time learning about one another, who we are, what makes us who we are, what's important, our heroes, our hardships and our highlights, and with young women, it's trust. I think everyday being consistent, showing up for one another, and just recognizing everyone's strength and every piece to the puzzle, then we talk about the masterpiece. Really excited about all the moving parts, and they're really working together nicely."
SUN DEVIL WBB PARTICIPATES IN PAC-12-SWAC LEGACY SERIES
On Fri., Nov. 11 Arizona State hosted Grambling State as part of the inaugural Pac-12-SWAC Legacy Series.
Announced in Sept. 2021, the partnership between the Pac-12 and SWAC is the first of its kind pertaining to basketball scheduling between Autonomy 5 and HBCU leagues, but also placed crucial emphasis on raising awareness for anti-racism and social justice initiatives.
A critical component of the Legacy Series is ongoing educational opportunities for student-athletes featuring community leaders and expert Conference alumni.
The event came on the heels of this past summer's Pac-12 ImPACt experience in Selma and Montgomery, Ala., in which conference student-athletes and administrators journeyed to the center of the civil rights movement.
"I think anytime we have an opportunity to talk about social issues and bring them to the forefront and use our platform, but also to merge with the Pac-12 and the SWAC," ASU head coach Natasha Adair said after the game. "I think it's our opportunity and our responsibility to make sure that we educate and grow our student-athletes and so to be able to talk. We [Arizona State and Grambling State] broke bread together [earlier in the week] and just had a really good time meeting one another.
"But it stands for more than just basketball. You have a responsibility, especially on this big stage to make sure we're not just coaching them on the court. We're coaching them and preparing them for life. And they will be able to grow as women and be empowered to speak up for things that they are passionate about, and just things to just affect change in society. I think it's really needed and just thankful to be a part of the conference that thought so."
WHEN: Wednesday at 7 p.m. MST
WHERE: GCU Arena • Phoenix, Ariz.
WATCH: FOX 10 Xtra (Ch. 45, Cable 9), ESPN+ (subscription required)
RADIO: KDUS AM 1060
LIVE STATS: Click here
UP NEXT
The Sun Devil women's basketball team (5-1) concludes its five-game road trip on Wednesday (7 p.m. MST) when it makes the short ride to Phoenix to take on unbeaten Grand Canyon University (5-0).
After starting the season with a pair of home games – defeated NAU 69-68 on Nov. 7 and Grambling State 62-49 on Nov. 7 – ASU started its current road trip with a 79-64 win at 2022 Big Sky Tournament champion/2022 NCAA Tournament participant Montana State (Nov. 15). ASU scored the first 20 points and led by as many as 27. Tyi Skinner (game-high 24 points on 9-of-18 shooting) came within a point of matching her career high in scoring while accounting for a career-best four steals. Treasure Hunt scored a career-high 19 points while leading the team with seven rebounds.
On Nov. 20, ASU had to go to overtime to remain unbeaten in a hard-fought 83-77 win at New Mexico. Skinner posted her second straight 24-point outing, while Kayla Mokwuah (16 points, 13 rebounds), Jaddan Simmons (16 points) and Hunt (15 points, career-high 15 rebounds) also scored in double figures for the Sun Devils, who had to battle back from a five-point deficit in the final minutes to force overtime.
On Nov. 25, Skinner posted her third consecutive 24-point game, scoring 14 of ASU's 22 fourth-quarter points to help the Sun Devils outlast American, 70-61 at the Goombay Splash (played in Bimini, Bahamas) to improve ASU's record to 5-0 for the first time since 2002-03.
The following day, ASU came out on the short end for the first time this season, but not before showing it could play with one of the nation's best teams in an 85-65 setback to seventh-ranked Notre Dame. The Sun Devils led the Irish by three points at the half and were tied with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter before Notre Dame used a 12-2 run to gain control of the game on its way to the win. Skinner (15 points), Simmons (14 points) and Crisp (11 points) combined for 40 of ASU's points. Skinner, who was named to the Goombay Division All-Tournament Team of the 2022 Goombay Splash, also paced ASU with a game-high three steals. Meg Newman was perfect from the floor (3-3 FGs) and grabbed a game-high seven rebounds.
The Sun Devils started out the Natasha Adair era with a 69-68 win vs. Northern Arizona on Nov. 7. Simmons tied her career high with 22 points while junior Skinner added 12 points. In her debut for the Sun Devils, Newman, who redshirted last season due to injury, nearly had a near double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds. ASU held the Lumberjacks to zero points in the final three minutes of play and Simmons hit the game-tying and go-ahead free throws to get the hard-earned win.
ASU's win over Grambling State on Nov. 11 came in much less dramatic fashion as it led by 16 in the middle of the third quarter. After the Lady Tigers got back within nine points less than two minutes into the final frame, Skinner personally made sure ASU did not have a second-consecutive, one-possession game as she scored 11 of her game-high 16 points – and 11 of ASU's 16 points as a team – in the final quarter. Skinner could not miss as she swished all four of her field goals, including a pair of makes from downtown and hit the only free throw she attempted.
NOTES ON THE OPPOSITION
Grand Canyon comes into the game with an unblemished 5-0 record. GCU is ranked among the top 20 teams in the nation in steals per game (1st/18.8), scoring margin (7th/+33.0), assists per game (8th/19.8), field goal percentage (17th/48.5) and scoring defense (17th/51.2 ppg). The Sun Devils have won the only two meetings with the most recent meeting taking place in December of 1994.
SEE YOU IN DECEMBER
ASU's game at Montana State on Nov. 15 started a stretch in which the ASU would be playing five consecutive games away from Desert Financial Arena. The string of games started with wins at Montana State (Nov. 15) and at New Mexico (Nov. 20) and were followed by split at last week's Goombay Splash in The Bahamas: defeated American 70-61 and lost to No. 7 Notre Dame 85-65.
After Wednesday's game at Grand Canyon, ASU will be back in Desert Financial Arena this weekend to take on UMass (Dec. 2) and Missouri (Dec. 4) as part of the inaugural Briann January Classic. Sunday's game vs. Missouri will conclude a period in which ASU will have played six games in 15 days. The Sun Devils will then play two games over the next 25 days – at Stephen F. Austin (Dec. 11) and vs. Prairie View A&M (Dec. 17). The treadmill will speed back up in a hurry for the Sun Devils as they will open Pac-12 play with three road games in five days: at Arizona (Dec. 29), at Stanford (Dec. 31), at Cal (Jan. 2).
EARLY TRENDS
• Three Sun Devils are averaging double figures in scoring: junior guard and Delaware transfer Tyi Skinner (19.2 ppg) returning junior guard Jaddan Simmons (15.2 ppg) and junior guard and Kentucky transfer Treasure Hunt (11.0 ppg). Skinner has the highest single-game point total by a Sun Devil after scoring 24 points (one point short of her career high) in three consecutive games at Montana State (Nov. 15), at New Mexico (Nov. 20) and vs. American at the Goombay Splash (Nov. 25). Simmons tied her career high in scoring with 22 points vs. NAU (Nov. 7). Hunt poured in a career-high 19 points at Montana State (Nov. 15).
• Skinner is also leading the team in 3-pointers (1.7 per game), assists per game (2.3) and steals per game (2.7).
• Simmons leads the team in free throws made (32), attempted (35), free throw percentage (91.4), 3-point FG percentage (35.7) and blocked shots per game (0.8). She is also second in scoring (15.2 ppg), assists per game (2.3) and steals per game (1.2).
• Hunt is nearly averaging a double-double: 11.0 ppg and 8.7 rpg. Hunt became the first Sun Devil to account for a double-double this season with 13 points and 11 rebounds in ASU's win over Grambling State (Nov. 11). She added her second with 15 points and a career-high 15 rebounds in ASU's OT win at New Mexico (Nov. 20).
• In addition to Hunt (10.3 rpg), Meg Newman (6.0 rpg), grad center and TCU transfer Kayla Mokwuah (5.5 rpg), and Simmons (3.8 rpg) have been ASU's top performers on the glass. Mokwuah and Newman are tied for the team lead in offensive rebounds per game (2.7).
• Newman, who made her Sun Devil debut in the 2022-23 season opener after missing the 2021-22 campaign due to injury, came up just short of claiming the first double-double of the season after her nine-point, 11-rebound outing vs. NAU. Newman's final rebound of the game sealed ASU's 69-68 win as she boarded NAU's initial attempt to win the game on its final possession. Newman (7.5 rpg) and Isadora Sousa (7.0 rpg/career-high 12 rebounds vs. American) were ASU's top rebounders at the Goombay Splash (Nov. 25-26).
• Freshman guard Trayanna Crisp 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).
• Skinner and Simmons are the only two Sun Devils who have scored in double figures in every game this season.
• Nine different Sun Devils are averaging at least 7.3 minutes this season.
TIMELY DEVIL DEFENSE CONTRIBUTES TO SUCCESS
When ASU's defense has needed to be its best, it has answered the call.
• NAU did not score after going up 68-64 with 3:01 remaining (Nov. 7). ASU scored the game's last five points to edge NAU 69-68.
• In ASU's 79-64 win at Montana State, ASU's defense – and offense – both put on dominant performances early on as the Sun Devils scored the game's first 20 points in their eventual 79-64 win.
• ASU outscored New Mexico a combined 15-4 in the last two minutes of regulation (9-4 to force overtime) and overtime (6-0 to take control of the game) to come away with an 83-77 road win.
RANKINGS OF NOTE (AS OF NOV. 29)
• As a team, ASU is ranked among the top third in the Pac-12 in fewest turnovers per game (1st/18th in the nation), FT attempts per game (3rd/34th in the nation), FTs made per game (3rd/31st in the nation), rebounds per game (4th) and 3-point FG percentage defense (4th).
• Skinner is 3rd in the Pac-12 in scoring (19.2 ppg), 2nd in steals per game (2.67) and 10th in free throw percentage (80.6).
• Simmons is 2nd in the Pac-12 in free throw percentage (91.4) and 7th in points per game (15.2).
• Hunt is 2nd in the Pac-12 defensive rebounds per game (7.0) and 6th in rebounds per game (8.7).
DEVILS NAVIGATING CHALLENGING NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Contests against eight teams that qualified for postseason play last season highlight the ASU's 2022 non-conference schedule.
ASU will play five of their non-conference contests at home, including tilts against 2022 NCAA Tournament participant and Atlantic-10 champion UMass (Dec. 2) and 2022 WNIT participant Missouri (Dec. 4).
At the Goombay Splash (Nov. 25-26/Bimini, Bahamas) ASU faced two 2022 NCAA Tournament teams in the form of Notre Dame (NCAA Third Round/L, 65-85) and American (NCAA First Round and Patriot League Tournament champions/W, 70-61).
Other teams ASU will face that qualified for 2022 postseason play include road contests against Montana State (Nov. 15/NCAA First Round/W, 74-61), New Mexico (Nov. 20/WNIT Third Round, W, 83-77-OT), Grand Canyon (Nov. 30/WNIT First Round) and Stephen F. Austin (Dec. 11/NCAA First Round).
SUN DEVIL WBB ANNOUNCES BRIANN JANUARY CLASSIC
To kick off the month of December, Sun Devil Women's Basketball will host the inaugural Briann January Classic from Dec. 2-4 at Desert Financial Arena.
The event honors January, a Sun Devil Hall of Famer who ended her college career at or near the top of several ASU career statistical categories, including assists (first/now second), FT percentage (first), steals (second), FTs (second), 3-point FG pct (fourth), 3-point FGs (fifth/now seventh) and points (seventh/now ninth).
The Briann January Classic will feature three games in three days, starting when the Sun Devils host UMass on Fri., Dec. 2 at 6 pm at Desert Financial Arena. The following day, UMass will face Missouri at 3 pm. The inaugural Briann January Classic will conclude on Sun., Dec. 4 when the Sun Devils take on Missouri at 12:30 p.m.
NOTES ON THE 2022-23 ROSTER
• New Sun Devil head coach Natasha Adair and her staff did an outstanding job of bringing in several talented players capable of making an immediate impact to join the core of talent that chose to commit to Adair after she was named head coach in late March. After a national search, Adair was hired to assume the vacancy left by Sun Devil Hall of Fame coach Charli Turner Thorne, who announced her retirement at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season.
• Guards Jaddan Simmons, Sydney Erikstrup, Isadora Sousa, G/F Maggie Besselink and posts Imogen Greenslade and Meg Newman all remained Sun Devils. All six players are expected to play significant roles this season. Although she was on last year's roster, Meg Newman did not make her Sun Devil debut until the first game of the 2022-23 season as she missed her entire freshman campaign due to injury.
• Another player who chose to stay with the school she originally committed to was incoming freshman and local product Trayanna Crisp, who signed with ASU in November 2021. Adair and her staff were already familiar with Crisp as they recruited the standout guard when they were at Delaware.
• Knowing everything ASU and Sun Devil Athletics has to offer, Adair and her staff were confident in their ability to sign the players they had identified from the pool of talent that included student-athletes in the transfer portal and freshman players who had yet to sign.
• Joining ASU from other college programs were a trio of impressive guards – sophomore Morasha Wiggins (North Carolina) and juniors Tyi Skinner (Delaware) and Treasure Hunt (Kentucky) – and an experienced post in fifth-year center Kayla Mokwuah (TCU).
• A pair of freshmen from Pennsylvania – guard Jaylah Robinson and post Journey Thompson – were also excited to come and be a part Adair's vision for Sun Devil Women's Basketball.
• Prior to the season, Adair summed up the process that took place over the offseason/fall camp of gelling the returners with the newcomers: "I think that's been the biggest thing we've focused on, especially in the off-season and summer when everyone got here. It's more about the culture of the team. You had six players that were here and then there was so much change. With the new players coming in, we still talked about why ASU? I think if you keep everyone focused on why ASU, their love for ASU, then it doesn't matter where the players came from. It's just where we are now. But we've spent so much time learning about one another, who we are, what makes us who we are, what's important, our heroes, our hardships and our highlights, and with young women, it's trust. I think everyday being consistent, showing up for one another, and just recognizing everyone's strength and every piece to the puzzle, then we talk about the masterpiece. Really excited about all the moving parts, and they're really working together nicely."
SUN DEVIL WBB PARTICIPATES IN PAC-12-SWAC LEGACY SERIES
On Fri., Nov. 11 Arizona State hosted Grambling State as part of the inaugural Pac-12-SWAC Legacy Series.
Announced in Sept. 2021, the partnership between the Pac-12 and SWAC is the first of its kind pertaining to basketball scheduling between Autonomy 5 and HBCU leagues, but also placed crucial emphasis on raising awareness for anti-racism and social justice initiatives.
A critical component of the Legacy Series is ongoing educational opportunities for student-athletes featuring community leaders and expert Conference alumni.
The event came on the heels of this past summer's Pac-12 ImPACt experience in Selma and Montgomery, Ala., in which conference student-athletes and administrators journeyed to the center of the civil rights movement.
"I think anytime we have an opportunity to talk about social issues and bring them to the forefront and use our platform, but also to merge with the Pac-12 and the SWAC," ASU head coach Natasha Adair said after the game. "I think it's our opportunity and our responsibility to make sure that we educate and grow our student-athletes and so to be able to talk. We [Arizona State and Grambling State] broke bread together [earlier in the week] and just had a really good time meeting one another.
"But it stands for more than just basketball. You have a responsibility, especially on this big stage to make sure we're not just coaching them on the court. We're coaching them and preparing them for life. And they will be able to grow as women and be empowered to speak up for things that they are passionate about, and just things to just affect change in society. I think it's really needed and just thankful to be a part of the conference that thought so."