THE GAME: Sun Devil WBB (3-0) at Grambling State (1-2)
WHEN: Thursday at 5 p.m. MST/6 p.m. CST
WHERE: Willis Reed Court at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center • Grambling, La.
WATCH: ESPN+ (Subscription required to watch)
LIVE STATS: Click here
RADIO: KAZG 1440 AM (Pregame coverage starts at 4:30 p.m. MST)
UP NEXT
After starting the new campaign with three home wins, the Sun Devil women's basketball team will begin a sequence on Thursday – at Grambling State 5 p.m. MST/6 p.m. CST – in which it will play four of five games away from home.
Thursday's game at Grambling State is part of the Pac-12-SWAC Legacy Series. Announced in Sept. 2021, the allyship between the Pac-12 and SWAC was the first series of its kind as it pertained to scheduling between Autonomy 5 and HBCU leagues. Each of last year's games – last season Grambling State played at ASU – featured programming with 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.
After Thursday's game, ASU will return to Tempe to host Idaho State on Sunday (6 p.m. MST). It will then conclude the first month of play with a trip to the Virgin Islands for the Paradise Jam where it will play three games in three days on Thanksgiving weekend: vs. No. 11 Texas (Nov. 23), vs. USF (Nov. 24), vs. High Point (Nov. 25).
WATCH/LISTEN
Thursday's game can be seen on ESPN+ (subscription required to watch). The game can also be heard on KAZG 1440 AM with pregame coverage beginning at 4:30 p.m in the Valley. Veteran broadcaster and the state of Arizona's 2010 & 2019 Broadcaster of the Year Jeff Munn is in his 20th season as the voice of ASU women's basketball.
STATE OF PLAY
The Sun Devils reached their 3-0 mark with home wins over UTSA (70-55 on Nov. 6), Montana State (75-62 on Nov. 10) and San Francisco (77-69 on Nov. 13). Senior guard Jaddan Simmons (109 points away from 1000 career points) averaged 15.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.0 apg and 2.7 spg, while connecting on 86 percent of her free throws (19-22) in the three wins. As of Nov. 14, Simmons leads the Pac-12 and is ranked 27th in in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio. She also leads the league in free throws attempted (22/21st in the nation) and made (19/15th in the nation). Also scoring in double figures vs. UTSA were Jalyn Brown (16 points in her Sun Devil debut), Maggie Besselink and Trayanna Crisp (10 points each).
Against Montana State, Journey Thompson came off the bench to score 13 points and grab 12 rebounds for ASU's first double-double of the season. Kadidia Toure matched Simmons' total in both points (17) and rebounds (seven) while Brown added 11 points and three boards.
Toure posted her first career double-double with career highs in points (22) and rebounds (14) to go with three steals in Monday's win over San Francisco. Simmons, Crisp and Thompson added 12 points each for the Sun Devils, who shot 47 percent for the game and scored 15 points off San Francisco's 15 turnovers. Toure and Simmons both tied for the team lead with three steals while Simmons and Crisp each had a team-high four assists.
SERIES NOTES VERSUS GRAMBLING STATE
Last season, ASU defeated Grambling State 62-49 in Tempe. Tyi Skinner (16 points), Simmons (13) and Treasure Hunt (12) combined for 41 points in the win. ASU won the only prior meeting 89-51 in 2003 in Tempe.
NOTES FROM FIRST THREE WINS
• In the first half, ASU has averaged 45.3 points and connected on 49.5 percent of its shots.
• As of Nov. 14, ASU is 4th in the Pac-12 in FG pct. defense (32.8). It is also ranked third in the league for fewest turnovers per game (12.7).
• In the win vs. UTSA, ASU tied last season's highest point total in a half on its way to a 49-23 halftime lead. Against Montana State, ASU scored 30 points in the first quarter, representing the third time it has scored 30 or more points in a quarter under head coach Natasha Adair.
• The Sun Devils have averaged 18.0 points off turnovers and 25.3 FT attempts per game.
• ASU has allowed 11 or fewer points in a quarter six times.
• After Montana State cut a 20-point deficit to four with seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, ASU answered with a 10-0 run. They allowed the Bobcats to shoot just 17 percent (2-12) in the fourth quarter.
• Maggie Besselink and Morasha Wiggins have both provided the Sun Devils with significant contributions this season. What distinguishes them from the other returning players? Both missed all of last season due to injury. Besselink, who had not played in a game since Feb. 6, 2022, was not only in the starting lineup in the season opener, but also played a major role in igniting ASU's offense after hitting back-to-back triples in the first quarter vs. UTSA. Wiggins made her Sun Devil debut in Monday's win over San Francisco, scoring 8 points and hitting all four of her free throws.
PLAYER NOTES
#1 • Kadidia Toure • F • 6-3 • So. • Silver Spring, Md.
• Transferred to ASU in 2023 after playing at James Madison as a freshman.
• Has started all three games. Scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds in win vs. Montana State (Nov. 10) and followed that with her first career double-double with career highs in points (22) and rebounds (14) in win over San Francisco (Nov. 13).
• Four-year varsity player for Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.). As a senior in 2022, the league's player of the year averaged 14 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks on her way to WCAC Player of the Year honors and first-team All-Met recognition.
#2 • Jaddan Simmons • G • 5-9 • Sr. • Houston, Texas
• Has started all 80 games she's played in her career.
• In ASU's first three games, has averaged 15.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.0 apg and 2.7 spg, while connecting on 86 percent of her free throws (19-22). As of Nov. 14, Simmons leads the Pac-12 and is ranked 27th in in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio. She also leads the league in free throws attempted (22/21st in the nation) and made (19/15th in the nation).
• Currently with 891 points, needs 109 to reach 1,000 career points.
• Was named 2022 Preseason Pac-12 Honorable Mention and at the conclusion of the season was named Pac-12 All-Defensive Team HM.
• Scored in double figures in 22 of 27 games last season on her way to a single-season, career-high 12.4 ppg.
#3 • Tyi Skinner • G • 5-5 • Sr. • Washington, D.C.
• Was announced on October 4, 2023 that Tyi Skinner will miss the 2023-24 season due to a knee injury.
• Made an immediate impact in her first season as a Sun Devil, earning All Pac-12 recognition from media that cover the league and Pac-12 HM honors from the league's coaches for a season in which she started all 28 games and averaged the most points per game (19.2) in a season since 1988-89.
• Scored in double figures in 25/28 games, including 15 games w/20 or more points, and finished 2nd in the Pac-12 and 27th in the nation in ppg season.
#4 • Trayanna Crisp • G • 5-8 • So. • Goodyear, Ariz.
• In her first season wearing the Maroon and Gold, Crisp appeared in all 28 games, starting five of them.
• Has started every game this season and is averaging 10.0 ppg.
• Leads the team with six 3-pointers.
#10 • Marina Radocaj • G/F • 6-2 • Fr. • Richmond, British Columbia
• Talented standout, who earned spots on Canada's U16 and U17 teams.
• Hit one of ASU's nine 3-pointers in its season-opening win over UTSA (Nov. 6).
• Member of the 2021 U16 Canadian Team that placed second at FIBA Americas. Radocaj averaged 9.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in the six games she played (all starts).
• Played in 5 games at the 2022 FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup.
#11 • Maggie Besselink • G/F • 6-3 • Sr. • Kingston, Ontario
• After missing the 2022-23 season due to injury, made her return to the floor in 2023-24.
• Has started every game and is currently 3rd on the team in rebounds (4.7 rpg) and tied for the team lead in blocks (1.0 bpg).
• In her first game since Feb. 6, 2022, Besselink tied for the team high with three triples in season opening win over UTSA (Nov. 6).
#12 • Treasure Hunt • G • 6-2 • Sr. • Chattanooga, Tenn.
• In her first season as a Sun Devil, played & started in 27 games and averaged 34.1 minutes (third on team), 11.3 points and 6.1 rebounds. Also made 28 3-pointers and had 22 blocks and 25 steals. Had career-high 24 points vs. Arizona on Jan. 22, 2023, and had career-best 15 rebounds at New Mexico on Nov. 20.
• Has played in every game and is currently averaging 5.7 ppg & 3.0 rpg.
• Posted season highs in points (9) and rebounds (5) in win vs. Montana State (Nov. 10).
• Including two seasons at Kentucky, has started 57 of the 75 games.
#13 • Sandra Magolico • F • 6-2 • Jr. • Maputo, Mozambique
• Transferred to ASU after playing two seasons at New Mexico CC.
• Has played in every game this season.
• In 2019, competed for the Mozambique national team, playing in nine games and averaged 11.0 minutes per game.
• Started 28 of 30 games in 2022-23 in leading New Mexico JC to a 26-6 record and a Round of 16 finish in the NJCAA Women's Basketball Championship.
#20 • Kiley Sours-Miller • C • 6-3 • Fr. • Surprise, Ariz.
• Playing for Dream City Christian, as a senior was ranked No. 10 in The Arizona Republic's Elite Girls 50 players in 2022-23. At the time (December 2022), Sours-Miller was averaging 12.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and two blocks.
• Scored more than 1,000 points in her career and led Dream Christian to the 2023 Girls Open Division state title.
• Averaged a double-double after playing first two seasons at Peoria Centennial, junior season at Phoenix Greenway and senior season at Glendale Dream City Christian.
#21 • Hanna Miller • F • 6-2 • So. • Aberdeen, S.D.
• The sister of incoming freshman Sun Devil Mallory Miller, transferred to ASU from Dodge City CC (Dodge City, Kan.) where she played in 23 games (3 starts) and averaged 11.3 minutes per game.
• As a senior in HS, teamed with Mallory to help lead Aberdeen Christian to a 21-5 record and a berth in the Class B girls basketball tournament.
#22 • Journey Thompson • F • 6-3 • So. • McMurray, Pa.
• Played in 13 games (three starts) as a freshman before having season prematurely come to an end due to injury.
• Scored five points, grabbed four rebounds and had two steals in ASU's season-opening win over UTSA (Nov. 6) and followed that with 13 points and 12 rebounds for ASU's first double-double of the season in win vs. Montana State (Nov. 10).
• Made first start of the season and scored 12 points (3-5 FGs, 6-7 FTs) and grabbed five rebounds in win over San Francisco (Nov. 13).
#23 • Jalyn Brown • G • 6-1 • So. • Baltimore, Md.
• Transferred to ASU in 2023 after playing freshman season at Louisville. Played in seven contests for Louisville squad that went on to conclude its season in the Elite Eight of the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
• Had tremendous Sun Devil debut: Scored 16 points, including team high-tying three 3-pointers, and grabbed four rebounds in ASU's season-opening win vs. UTSA (Nov. 6). Followed that with an 11-point outing vs, Montana State (Nov. 10).
• DNP vs. San Francisco (Nov. 13).
#24 • Mallory Miller • F • 6-4 • Fr. • Aberdeen, S.D.
• Has averaged 9.7 minutes in season's first three games.
• The sister of ASU sophomore guard Hanna Miller, Mallory was named a KELOLAND Media Group All-Star Girls Basketball Player of the Year finalist and was nominated Miss Basketball 2023 for the state of South Dakota after posting per-game averages of 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists.
• Led Wolsey-Wessington to a 22-3 record an appearance in the state semifinals (its first appearance in the state tournament) and the state's top seed in 2023.
• As a junior, teamed with sister Hanna to help Aberdeen Christian to a 21-5 record and a berth in the Class B girls basketball tournament.
#25 • Adison Novosel • G • 5-11 • Jr. • Richfield, Ohio
• Transferred to ASU in 2023 after playing first two seasons at Saint Francis University where she appeared in 35 contests (25 starts).
• Played in season-opening win vs. UTSA (Nov. 6).
• After appearing in seven games off the bench as a freshman, started 25 of 28 games in 2022-23.
• As a sophomore, led Saint Francis with 29 triples and posted career highs in points (12) and 3-pointers (4) vs. Central Connecticut State (Jan. 28). Also pulled down a career-high six rebounds twice and snared a career-high three steals vs. Coppin State (Nov. 7).
#30 • Morasha Wiggins • G • 6-0 • Jr. • Kalamazoo, Mich.
• Transferred to ASU after playing her freshman season (2021-22) at North Carolina.
• Missed the 2022-23 season after incurring injury in weeks leading up to start of the season.
• Played 23 minutes and scored 8 points and hit all four FTs in her Sun Devil debut vs. San Francisco (Nov. 13).
• Ranked 18th in the ESPNW Class of 2021 rankings, Wiggins was expected to be an impact player for the Sun Devils before suffering a preseason injury that forced her to miss the entire 2022-23 campaign.
#44 • Isadora Sousa • G • 6-0 • Grad. • Sao Paulo, Brazil
• Has played in 30 games with seven starts in her two seasons with the Sun Devils.
• Has worked hard to come back from injury each of last two seasons and has proved to be an effective performer when on the floor.
• In 2022-23, scored a career high-tying points in consecutive games (at Stanford/Dec. 31 and at Cal/Jan 2) and had the second highest field goal percentage on the team, shooting 44.8%.
WBB ALL-PAC-12 STANDOUT TYI SKINNER TO MISS 2023-24 SEASON
Although the Sun Devil women's basketball team's overall health is a 180-degree difference from last season, the squad was dealt a tremendous blow when Natasha Adair announced Oct. 4, 2023 that senior guard Tyi Skinner will miss the 2023-24 season due to a knee injury.
Skinner, who last season earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors from the league's coaches and All-Pac-12 recognition from media who cover the league, quickly established herself as one of top scorers in the Pac-12 and one of the most exciting players in the nation to watch in her first season in Tempe.
In 2022-23, Skinner scored 20 or more points 15 times, including a career-high 29 points on two occasions. A starter in all 28 games, Skinner went on to average 19.3 points per game, the most by a Sun Devil since the 1988-89 season. She concluded her first campaign in the Maroon and Gold among the leaders in the Pac-12 in points per game (19.3/2nd/27th in the nation), 3-pointers per game (2.43 per game/2nd), minutes per game (36.59/3rd/29th in the nation), free throws made (79/3rd) and attempted (91/4th), steals per game (1.71/5th), 3-point FG percentage (34.7/6th) and free throw percentage (78.1/8th).
Skinner, who played her first two seasons at Delaware under Adair, went over 1,000 points in career scoring last season, concluding the campaign with 1,203 career points.
SCHEDULE NOTES
• Games against four teams that qualified for postseason play last season highlight ASU's 2023 non-conference schedule.
• The Sun Devils will play 17 home games: eight non-conference and nine Pac-12 contests. The Sun Devils, who will open the season on Mon., Nov. 6 at home vs. UTSA, will commence Pac-12 play – at home vs. Arizona on Dec. 17 – while still in the midst of playing their non-conference schedule. ASU's non-conference slate will conclude on Dec. 30 at home vs. Santa Clara.
• ASU will play 2023 NCAA Tournament participants Texas and South Florida and 2023 WNIT entry High Point at the Paradise Jam.
• The Pac-12 led all conferences with six teams in the AP Preseason Top 25. In the most recent poll (Nov. 13), five of the six teams were ranked in the top 10: No. 3 UCLA, No. 4 Utah, No. 5 Colorado, No. 6 Stanford and No. 10 USC. Washington State remained 24th in this week's poll. At the start of the day on Nov. 14 the Pac-12 had a cumulative record of 33-1.
RECAPPING THE 2022-23 SEASON
Despite a spate of unlucky injuries to key personnel, the Sun Devils had several noteworthy accomplishments during Adair's inaugural season in Tempe. The accomplishments included...
• Starting 5-0 for the first time since 2002-03.
• Finishing the season No. 2 in the Pac-12 and 10th in the nation in fewest turnovers per game (12.3). Only ASU's 2017-18 squad averaged fewer turnovers per game (11.7) in a season.
• Even with all its injuries, ASU nearly pulled off three Top 25 upsets in the season's final five games: vs. No. 21 Colorado (62-70), vs. No. 4 Utah (69-74) and vs. No. 19 UCLA (70-81-OT) in the first round of the Pac-12
Tournament. After trailing the Bruins by as many as 19 points in the third quarter, the Sun Devils staged a furious rally to take a two-point lead in regulation before falling in overtime. The win would have been ASU's biggest comeback in school history.
• In their 75-73 win at Oregon State, the Sun Devils overcame their second-largest deficit in school history (17 points). The victory was also No. 175 of Adair's career.
• Individually, Sun Devil guards Jaddan Simmons (Pac-12 All-Defense honorable mention) and Tyi Skinner (All-Pac-12 honorable mention) comprised one of the most talented backcourts in the country. Both players earned Pac-12 honors as voted on by the league's head coaches. Skinner, who finished second in the Pac-12 and 27th in the nation in scoring (19.2 ppg), was also named to the media's 15-member All-Pac-12 team.
WHEN: Thursday at 5 p.m. MST/6 p.m. CST
WHERE: Willis Reed Court at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center • Grambling, La.
WATCH: ESPN+ (Subscription required to watch)
LIVE STATS: Click here
RADIO: KAZG 1440 AM (Pregame coverage starts at 4:30 p.m. MST)
UP NEXT
After starting the new campaign with three home wins, the Sun Devil women's basketball team will begin a sequence on Thursday – at Grambling State 5 p.m. MST/6 p.m. CST – in which it will play four of five games away from home.
Thursday's game at Grambling State is part of the Pac-12-SWAC Legacy Series. Announced in Sept. 2021, the allyship between the Pac-12 and SWAC was the first series of its kind as it pertained to scheduling between Autonomy 5 and HBCU leagues. Each of last year's games – last season Grambling State played at ASU – featured programming with 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.
After Thursday's game, ASU will return to Tempe to host Idaho State on Sunday (6 p.m. MST). It will then conclude the first month of play with a trip to the Virgin Islands for the Paradise Jam where it will play three games in three days on Thanksgiving weekend: vs. No. 11 Texas (Nov. 23), vs. USF (Nov. 24), vs. High Point (Nov. 25).
WATCH/LISTEN
Thursday's game can be seen on ESPN+ (subscription required to watch). The game can also be heard on KAZG 1440 AM with pregame coverage beginning at 4:30 p.m in the Valley. Veteran broadcaster and the state of Arizona's 2010 & 2019 Broadcaster of the Year Jeff Munn is in his 20th season as the voice of ASU women's basketball.
STATE OF PLAY
The Sun Devils reached their 3-0 mark with home wins over UTSA (70-55 on Nov. 6), Montana State (75-62 on Nov. 10) and San Francisco (77-69 on Nov. 13). Senior guard Jaddan Simmons (109 points away from 1000 career points) averaged 15.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.0 apg and 2.7 spg, while connecting on 86 percent of her free throws (19-22) in the three wins. As of Nov. 14, Simmons leads the Pac-12 and is ranked 27th in in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio. She also leads the league in free throws attempted (22/21st in the nation) and made (19/15th in the nation). Also scoring in double figures vs. UTSA were Jalyn Brown (16 points in her Sun Devil debut), Maggie Besselink and Trayanna Crisp (10 points each).
Against Montana State, Journey Thompson came off the bench to score 13 points and grab 12 rebounds for ASU's first double-double of the season. Kadidia Toure matched Simmons' total in both points (17) and rebounds (seven) while Brown added 11 points and three boards.
Toure posted her first career double-double with career highs in points (22) and rebounds (14) to go with three steals in Monday's win over San Francisco. Simmons, Crisp and Thompson added 12 points each for the Sun Devils, who shot 47 percent for the game and scored 15 points off San Francisco's 15 turnovers. Toure and Simmons both tied for the team lead with three steals while Simmons and Crisp each had a team-high four assists.
SERIES NOTES VERSUS GRAMBLING STATE
Last season, ASU defeated Grambling State 62-49 in Tempe. Tyi Skinner (16 points), Simmons (13) and Treasure Hunt (12) combined for 41 points in the win. ASU won the only prior meeting 89-51 in 2003 in Tempe.
NOTES FROM FIRST THREE WINS
• In the first half, ASU has averaged 45.3 points and connected on 49.5 percent of its shots.
• As of Nov. 14, ASU is 4th in the Pac-12 in FG pct. defense (32.8). It is also ranked third in the league for fewest turnovers per game (12.7).
• In the win vs. UTSA, ASU tied last season's highest point total in a half on its way to a 49-23 halftime lead. Against Montana State, ASU scored 30 points in the first quarter, representing the third time it has scored 30 or more points in a quarter under head coach Natasha Adair.
• The Sun Devils have averaged 18.0 points off turnovers and 25.3 FT attempts per game.
• ASU has allowed 11 or fewer points in a quarter six times.
• After Montana State cut a 20-point deficit to four with seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, ASU answered with a 10-0 run. They allowed the Bobcats to shoot just 17 percent (2-12) in the fourth quarter.
• Maggie Besselink and Morasha Wiggins have both provided the Sun Devils with significant contributions this season. What distinguishes them from the other returning players? Both missed all of last season due to injury. Besselink, who had not played in a game since Feb. 6, 2022, was not only in the starting lineup in the season opener, but also played a major role in igniting ASU's offense after hitting back-to-back triples in the first quarter vs. UTSA. Wiggins made her Sun Devil debut in Monday's win over San Francisco, scoring 8 points and hitting all four of her free throws.
PLAYER NOTES
#1 • Kadidia Toure • F • 6-3 • So. • Silver Spring, Md.
• Transferred to ASU in 2023 after playing at James Madison as a freshman.
• Has started all three games. Scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds in win vs. Montana State (Nov. 10) and followed that with her first career double-double with career highs in points (22) and rebounds (14) in win over San Francisco (Nov. 13).
• Four-year varsity player for Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.). As a senior in 2022, the league's player of the year averaged 14 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks on her way to WCAC Player of the Year honors and first-team All-Met recognition.
#2 • Jaddan Simmons • G • 5-9 • Sr. • Houston, Texas
• Has started all 80 games she's played in her career.
• In ASU's first three games, has averaged 15.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.0 apg and 2.7 spg, while connecting on 86 percent of her free throws (19-22). As of Nov. 14, Simmons leads the Pac-12 and is ranked 27th in in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio. She also leads the league in free throws attempted (22/21st in the nation) and made (19/15th in the nation).
• Currently with 891 points, needs 109 to reach 1,000 career points.
• Was named 2022 Preseason Pac-12 Honorable Mention and at the conclusion of the season was named Pac-12 All-Defensive Team HM.
• Scored in double figures in 22 of 27 games last season on her way to a single-season, career-high 12.4 ppg.
#3 • Tyi Skinner • G • 5-5 • Sr. • Washington, D.C.
• Was announced on October 4, 2023 that Tyi Skinner will miss the 2023-24 season due to a knee injury.
• Made an immediate impact in her first season as a Sun Devil, earning All Pac-12 recognition from media that cover the league and Pac-12 HM honors from the league's coaches for a season in which she started all 28 games and averaged the most points per game (19.2) in a season since 1988-89.
• Scored in double figures in 25/28 games, including 15 games w/20 or more points, and finished 2nd in the Pac-12 and 27th in the nation in ppg season.
#4 • Trayanna Crisp • G • 5-8 • So. • Goodyear, Ariz.
• In her first season wearing the Maroon and Gold, Crisp appeared in all 28 games, starting five of them.
• Has started every game this season and is averaging 10.0 ppg.
• Leads the team with six 3-pointers.
#10 • Marina Radocaj • G/F • 6-2 • Fr. • Richmond, British Columbia
• Talented standout, who earned spots on Canada's U16 and U17 teams.
• Hit one of ASU's nine 3-pointers in its season-opening win over UTSA (Nov. 6).
• Member of the 2021 U16 Canadian Team that placed second at FIBA Americas. Radocaj averaged 9.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in the six games she played (all starts).
• Played in 5 games at the 2022 FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup.
#11 • Maggie Besselink • G/F • 6-3 • Sr. • Kingston, Ontario
• After missing the 2022-23 season due to injury, made her return to the floor in 2023-24.
• Has started every game and is currently 3rd on the team in rebounds (4.7 rpg) and tied for the team lead in blocks (1.0 bpg).
• In her first game since Feb. 6, 2022, Besselink tied for the team high with three triples in season opening win over UTSA (Nov. 6).
#12 • Treasure Hunt • G • 6-2 • Sr. • Chattanooga, Tenn.
• In her first season as a Sun Devil, played & started in 27 games and averaged 34.1 minutes (third on team), 11.3 points and 6.1 rebounds. Also made 28 3-pointers and had 22 blocks and 25 steals. Had career-high 24 points vs. Arizona on Jan. 22, 2023, and had career-best 15 rebounds at New Mexico on Nov. 20.
• Has played in every game and is currently averaging 5.7 ppg & 3.0 rpg.
• Posted season highs in points (9) and rebounds (5) in win vs. Montana State (Nov. 10).
• Including two seasons at Kentucky, has started 57 of the 75 games.
#13 • Sandra Magolico • F • 6-2 • Jr. • Maputo, Mozambique
• Transferred to ASU after playing two seasons at New Mexico CC.
• Has played in every game this season.
• In 2019, competed for the Mozambique national team, playing in nine games and averaged 11.0 minutes per game.
• Started 28 of 30 games in 2022-23 in leading New Mexico JC to a 26-6 record and a Round of 16 finish in the NJCAA Women's Basketball Championship.
#20 • Kiley Sours-Miller • C • 6-3 • Fr. • Surprise, Ariz.
• Playing for Dream City Christian, as a senior was ranked No. 10 in The Arizona Republic's Elite Girls 50 players in 2022-23. At the time (December 2022), Sours-Miller was averaging 12.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and two blocks.
• Scored more than 1,000 points in her career and led Dream Christian to the 2023 Girls Open Division state title.
• Averaged a double-double after playing first two seasons at Peoria Centennial, junior season at Phoenix Greenway and senior season at Glendale Dream City Christian.
#21 • Hanna Miller • F • 6-2 • So. • Aberdeen, S.D.
• The sister of incoming freshman Sun Devil Mallory Miller, transferred to ASU from Dodge City CC (Dodge City, Kan.) where she played in 23 games (3 starts) and averaged 11.3 minutes per game.
• As a senior in HS, teamed with Mallory to help lead Aberdeen Christian to a 21-5 record and a berth in the Class B girls basketball tournament.
#22 • Journey Thompson • F • 6-3 • So. • McMurray, Pa.
• Played in 13 games (three starts) as a freshman before having season prematurely come to an end due to injury.
• Scored five points, grabbed four rebounds and had two steals in ASU's season-opening win over UTSA (Nov. 6) and followed that with 13 points and 12 rebounds for ASU's first double-double of the season in win vs. Montana State (Nov. 10).
• Made first start of the season and scored 12 points (3-5 FGs, 6-7 FTs) and grabbed five rebounds in win over San Francisco (Nov. 13).
#23 • Jalyn Brown • G • 6-1 • So. • Baltimore, Md.
• Transferred to ASU in 2023 after playing freshman season at Louisville. Played in seven contests for Louisville squad that went on to conclude its season in the Elite Eight of the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
• Had tremendous Sun Devil debut: Scored 16 points, including team high-tying three 3-pointers, and grabbed four rebounds in ASU's season-opening win vs. UTSA (Nov. 6). Followed that with an 11-point outing vs, Montana State (Nov. 10).
• DNP vs. San Francisco (Nov. 13).
#24 • Mallory Miller • F • 6-4 • Fr. • Aberdeen, S.D.
• Has averaged 9.7 minutes in season's first three games.
• The sister of ASU sophomore guard Hanna Miller, Mallory was named a KELOLAND Media Group All-Star Girls Basketball Player of the Year finalist and was nominated Miss Basketball 2023 for the state of South Dakota after posting per-game averages of 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists.
• Led Wolsey-Wessington to a 22-3 record an appearance in the state semifinals (its first appearance in the state tournament) and the state's top seed in 2023.
• As a junior, teamed with sister Hanna to help Aberdeen Christian to a 21-5 record and a berth in the Class B girls basketball tournament.
#25 • Adison Novosel • G • 5-11 • Jr. • Richfield, Ohio
• Transferred to ASU in 2023 after playing first two seasons at Saint Francis University where she appeared in 35 contests (25 starts).
• Played in season-opening win vs. UTSA (Nov. 6).
• After appearing in seven games off the bench as a freshman, started 25 of 28 games in 2022-23.
• As a sophomore, led Saint Francis with 29 triples and posted career highs in points (12) and 3-pointers (4) vs. Central Connecticut State (Jan. 28). Also pulled down a career-high six rebounds twice and snared a career-high three steals vs. Coppin State (Nov. 7).
#30 • Morasha Wiggins • G • 6-0 • Jr. • Kalamazoo, Mich.
• Transferred to ASU after playing her freshman season (2021-22) at North Carolina.
• Missed the 2022-23 season after incurring injury in weeks leading up to start of the season.
• Played 23 minutes and scored 8 points and hit all four FTs in her Sun Devil debut vs. San Francisco (Nov. 13).
• Ranked 18th in the ESPNW Class of 2021 rankings, Wiggins was expected to be an impact player for the Sun Devils before suffering a preseason injury that forced her to miss the entire 2022-23 campaign.
#44 • Isadora Sousa • G • 6-0 • Grad. • Sao Paulo, Brazil
• Has played in 30 games with seven starts in her two seasons with the Sun Devils.
• Has worked hard to come back from injury each of last two seasons and has proved to be an effective performer when on the floor.
• In 2022-23, scored a career high-tying points in consecutive games (at Stanford/Dec. 31 and at Cal/Jan 2) and had the second highest field goal percentage on the team, shooting 44.8%.
WBB ALL-PAC-12 STANDOUT TYI SKINNER TO MISS 2023-24 SEASON
Although the Sun Devil women's basketball team's overall health is a 180-degree difference from last season, the squad was dealt a tremendous blow when Natasha Adair announced Oct. 4, 2023 that senior guard Tyi Skinner will miss the 2023-24 season due to a knee injury.
Skinner, who last season earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors from the league's coaches and All-Pac-12 recognition from media who cover the league, quickly established herself as one of top scorers in the Pac-12 and one of the most exciting players in the nation to watch in her first season in Tempe.
In 2022-23, Skinner scored 20 or more points 15 times, including a career-high 29 points on two occasions. A starter in all 28 games, Skinner went on to average 19.3 points per game, the most by a Sun Devil since the 1988-89 season. She concluded her first campaign in the Maroon and Gold among the leaders in the Pac-12 in points per game (19.3/2nd/27th in the nation), 3-pointers per game (2.43 per game/2nd), minutes per game (36.59/3rd/29th in the nation), free throws made (79/3rd) and attempted (91/4th), steals per game (1.71/5th), 3-point FG percentage (34.7/6th) and free throw percentage (78.1/8th).
Skinner, who played her first two seasons at Delaware under Adair, went over 1,000 points in career scoring last season, concluding the campaign with 1,203 career points.
SCHEDULE NOTES
• Games against four teams that qualified for postseason play last season highlight ASU's 2023 non-conference schedule.
• The Sun Devils will play 17 home games: eight non-conference and nine Pac-12 contests. The Sun Devils, who will open the season on Mon., Nov. 6 at home vs. UTSA, will commence Pac-12 play – at home vs. Arizona on Dec. 17 – while still in the midst of playing their non-conference schedule. ASU's non-conference slate will conclude on Dec. 30 at home vs. Santa Clara.
• ASU will play 2023 NCAA Tournament participants Texas and South Florida and 2023 WNIT entry High Point at the Paradise Jam.
• The Pac-12 led all conferences with six teams in the AP Preseason Top 25. In the most recent poll (Nov. 13), five of the six teams were ranked in the top 10: No. 3 UCLA, No. 4 Utah, No. 5 Colorado, No. 6 Stanford and No. 10 USC. Washington State remained 24th in this week's poll. At the start of the day on Nov. 14 the Pac-12 had a cumulative record of 33-1.
RECAPPING THE 2022-23 SEASON
Despite a spate of unlucky injuries to key personnel, the Sun Devils had several noteworthy accomplishments during Adair's inaugural season in Tempe. The accomplishments included...
• Starting 5-0 for the first time since 2002-03.
• Finishing the season No. 2 in the Pac-12 and 10th in the nation in fewest turnovers per game (12.3). Only ASU's 2017-18 squad averaged fewer turnovers per game (11.7) in a season.
• Even with all its injuries, ASU nearly pulled off three Top 25 upsets in the season's final five games: vs. No. 21 Colorado (62-70), vs. No. 4 Utah (69-74) and vs. No. 19 UCLA (70-81-OT) in the first round of the Pac-12
Tournament. After trailing the Bruins by as many as 19 points in the third quarter, the Sun Devils staged a furious rally to take a two-point lead in regulation before falling in overtime. The win would have been ASU's biggest comeback in school history.
• In their 75-73 win at Oregon State, the Sun Devils overcame their second-largest deficit in school history (17 points). The victory was also No. 175 of Adair's career.
• Individually, Sun Devil guards Jaddan Simmons (Pac-12 All-Defense honorable mention) and Tyi Skinner (All-Pac-12 honorable mention) comprised one of the most talented backcourts in the country. Both players earned Pac-12 honors as voted on by the league's head coaches. Skinner, who finished second in the Pac-12 and 27th in the nation in scoring (19.2 ppg), was also named to the media's 15-member All-Pac-12 team.