GAME NO. 16: Sun Devil WBB (8-7, 2-1 Big 12) vs. Iowa State (10-6, 1-2 Big 12)
WHEN: Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. MST
WHERE: Mullett Arena • Tempe, Ariz.
WATCH: ESPN+
RADIO: KDUS AM 1060
LIVE STATS: Click here
PURCHASE TICKETS: Click here
UP NEXT
Currently riding a season-best three-game winning streak, the Sun Devil women's basketball team (8-7, 2-1 Big 12) will play its second of four contests at Mullett Arena this season when it hosts Iowa State (10-6, 1-2 Big 12) on Wednesday (6:30 p.m. MST).
ASU has won all three of its games since resuming play after the holiday break. Prior to their game vs. Penn on Dec. 30, the Sun Devils had not played a game since their Big 12 Conference opener at Utah on Dec. 21. After the longer-than-usual period of inactivity, ASU played three games in six days last week. It defeated Penn (73-67) on Dec. 30, captured its first Big 12 win in its first Big 12 Conference home game in program history (defeated Texas Tech 79-61 on New Year's Day) and concluded the stretch with a 69-60 win at Houston on Saturday.
WATCH/LISTEN
Wednesday's game vs. Iowa State can be seen on ESPN+/Braiden Bell (play-by-play) and former Sun Devil Arnecia Hawkins (analyst). 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. He will be joined by former Sun Devil head coach Maura McHugh.
SERIES NOTES
• This will be the fourth all-time meeting between ASU and Iowa State.
• Iowa State leads the series 2-1.
• The last meeting took place on Nov. 25, 1995, a contest won by the Cyclones 69-61 at the Cyclone Classic in Ames, Iowa.
RANKINGS OF NOTE
• Through games played Jan. 6, ASU is ranked among the top 60 teams in the nation in free throw pct. (32nd/76.1/3rd in Big 12), defensive rebounds per game (45th/28.1/6th in Big 12) and blocks per game (52nd/4.3/6th in the Big 12).
• ASU is also ranked in the top half of the Big 12 in rebs per game (5th/39.7), FTs made per game (12.9/8th) and scoring (8th/72.9 ppg).
• Individually, Kennedy Basham is 19th the in the nation in blocks per game (2.2/2nd in Big 12) and Tyi Skinner is 43rd in minutes per game (35.0/2nd in Big 12).
• ASU also has several players ranked among the Top 20 in the Big 12: Skinner is 4th in FT pct. (84.2), 7th in 3-pointers per game (2.47), 8th in scoring (17.3 ppg/has scored in double figures in all but two games this season) and 3-point FG pct. (10th/35.9); Jalyn Brown is 13th in scoring (16.2 ppg) and in FT pct. (78.7), 15th in blocks per game (1.0) and 19th in FG pct. (42.4); and Kennedy Basham is 12th in rebounds per game (6.8) and Kennedy Fauntleroy is 14th in steals per game (1.93). Fauntleroy has averaged 3.0 spg in ASU's last seven games, compared to 1.0 in ASU's last eight games.
NOTES FROM LAST GAME - ASU 69, @Houston 60
• Tyi Skinner scored 18 points, Jyah LoVett had 14 of her season high-tying 16 points in the second half and Nevaeh Parkinson posted her second double-double (10 points, 12 rebounds) in three games to lead the Sun Devil women's basketball team to a 69-60 win at Houston on Saturday.
• For the second time in three games, ASU held the opposition to an opponent low for points in a half (25 points in the second half). In addition, the 60 points scored by Houston represented the third-fewest points the Sun Devils have allowed in a game this season.
• Parkinson, Kennedy Basham (two points, nine rebounds, two assists) and Jazion Jackson (four points, seven rebounds, team-high three assists) combined for 28 rebounds – more than half of ASU's 46 boards – to help ASU finish plus-seven on the glass.
• Jalyn Brown, who missed ASU's last two games due to injury, scored nine points and Kennedy Faultneroy added seven points.
• Skinner, who scored eight of her 10 first-half points in the second quarter, made a 3-pointer to beat the second quarter buzzer and give the Sun Devils a 36-35 lead at halftime, an advantage they would not relinquish the rest of the game.
• LoVett's layup with with 7:01 left in the third quarter started a 16-3 run to give ASU a commanding 58-44 lead going into the fourth quarter.
• The Sun Devils shot 52 percent (15-29) in the middle 20 minutes. After not scoring in the first quarter, Skinner scored all 18 of her points and hit four of the team's six 3-pointers in the game during the same span of time.
• LoVett, who hit all five of her shots in the second half, scored seven of ASU's 11 points in the fourth quarter. On the defensive end, the Sun Devils allowed the Cougars to make only one of their final six shots after Houston pulled within six for the second time with 3:21 left in the game.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
• A win vs. Iowa State would give ASU its longest winning streak since the opening of the 2022-23 season when it won its first five games.
• Prior to its 102-82 loss at Utah, the Sun Devils were starting to make strides on the defensive end of the floor. After giving up an average of 76.0 points in their first eight games, the Sun Devils gave up 16.0 fewer points per game (60.0) in their contests vs. UMES, at UC Davis and at San Francisco. In the contests vs. UMES and UC Davis, the Sun Devils allowed a season-low 57 points in back-to-back games. Including last week's wins over Penn, Texas Tech and Houston, ASU has given up 67 or fewer points in six of its last seven games. Penn's 26 points in the last 20 minutes matched (what were at the time) the fewest points ASU had given up in the second half this season. They surpassed that in their most recent game at Houston, allowing the Cougars to score just 25 points in the last 20 mins.
• Tyi Skinner (7x) and Jalyn Brown (5x) have combined to lead or tie for the team lead in scoring 12x this season. Also among the single-game scoring leaders have been Nevaeh Parkinson (2x), Jyah LoVett (1x) and Kennedy Fauntleroy (1x).
• Skinner (13 of 15 games) and Brown (9 of 12 games) have combined to score in double figures 22 times this season. Skinner has scored 20 or more points 5x, including a career-high 30 points in ASU's opening win over Jacksonville State (Nov. 4). Brown has scored 20 or more points 4x.
• In ASU's last five games, LoVett has averaged 15.0 points and connected on 52.6 percent of her shots. Compared to her first 10 games, LoVett has averaged +5.9 more points per game and shot +11.4 percentage points higher.
• In ASU's last four games, Parkinson has averaged 14.5 points and 9.3 rebounds. During that stretch she is shooting 64 percent (25-39). She has also collected her first two double-doubles as a Sun Devil: 22 points, career high-tying 13 rebounds vs. Penn. (Dec. 30) and 10 points, 12 rebounds at Houston (Jan. 4).
• After playing seven consecutive game away from Tempe between
Nov. 26 - Dec. 21, ASU will play no more than two straight games on the road the remainder of the season.
• Kennedy Basham has had multiple blocks in seven games this season, including a career-high seven rejections at San Francisco (Dec. 17).
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 8-7 record. Some of the near misses...
• Against Arkansas State, the Sun Devils trailed by 13 with 6:15 remaining. After a 19-5 run, ASU was suddenly up by 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, ASU was 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.
WELCOME HOME
After home 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 started a stretch in which it did not play a home game for 43 days. A summary of what happened while they were away from Tempe:
• ASU split its contests at the Music City Classic in Nashville, Tenn., falling to then-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 (6.5 rebounds per game).
• Next it was off to the DMV where ASU once again split its 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.
• After time off for final exams, ASU was back on a plane, this time to Northern California for games at UC Davis (Dec. 15) and at San Francisco (Dec. 17). 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. For the second straight game ASU held the opposition to the fewest points its given up this season (57). 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 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. For the second time this season, Skinner came within one triple of tying the single-game school record after knocking down six vs. the Dons. The difference was at the FT 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).
• In the Big 12 conference opener at Utah, the Sun Devils posted their highest point total and best field goal percentage since Nov. 27. Despite its strong offensive performance, ASU was not able to come through with the win, falling at Utah 102-82. The Sun Devils scored more than 80 points for the fourth time this season and had their highest final point total since a 95-88 win vs. South Dakota at the Music City Classic on Nov. 27. ASU's shooting percentage of 48.4 percent was also its highest since the win over South Dakota (52.2 percent).
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. Out of the 15 games ASU has played thus far, Skinner has led or tied ASU in scoring 7x and Brown 5x times.
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 38 of 62 career games (14 of 15 at ASU).
AT ASU IN 2024-25
Has played in every game (14 starts) and currently leads ASU in blocks per game (2.2/19th in the nation/2nd in Big 12) and rebs per game (6.8/12th in the Big 12)... Grabbed career-high 13 rebs vs. GCU (Nov. 14)... Has had multiple blocks in seven games this season, including a career-high seven rejections at San Francisco (Dec. 17)... 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 came 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 (6 starts) and is 2nd on the team in 3FGs per game (1.3), is tied for 3rd in steals per game (1.3) and 4th in scoring (11.1 ppg)... Has also hit 89.5 pct of her FTs (17-19)... Has scored in double figures 9x and has recorded 3 or more steals 3x... Last 5 games: Averaged 15.0 points and connected on 52.6 percent of her shots. Compared to her first 10 games, has averaged +5.9 more points per game and shot +11.4 percentage points higher.... 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)... Scored season-high 16 points at Utah (Dec. 21)... Tied season high with 16 points, tied career high with 7 assists and pulled down career-high 7 rebs vs. Penn (Dec. 30).
#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 best season of 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 8 of 11 games she has played in and leads the team in steals (2.6 spg), is 3rd in rebounds (6.3 rpg) and 4th in assists (2.6 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)... Tied season high with 10 points and had season-high six assists vs. Texas Tech (Jan. 1).
#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.
AT ASU IN 2024-25
Has played in every game with 5 starts... Is currently 14th in the Big 12 in steals per game (1.9) )... Has averaged 3.0 spg in ASU's last seven games, compared to 1.0 in ASU's last eight games... Has dished 6 or more assists 5x, including a season-high 7 assists 4x times this season... 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... Scored 13 points and dished out 7 assists vs. Arkansas State Nov. (9)... Had season-high 17 points and handed out 6 assists vs. Texas Tech (Jan. 1)
#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 8 games (averaging 11.8 mins per game)... Had season highs in rebounds (4) and steals (2) at San Francisco (Dec. 17).
• Made first start of ASU career vs. Penn (Dec. 30) and made all 3 of her shots, including a pair of 3-pointers, for a season-high 8 points.
#15 /// Heavenly Greer /// F /// 6-3 /// Sr. /// Phoenix, Ariz.
• Like fellow first-year Sun Devil Kennedy Basham, Greer returned 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 career-high 30 contests in first season at K-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 10 games and connected on 56.3 pct of her shots (9-16)... Pulled down 6 rebs in season opener vs. Jacksonville State (Nov. 4)... Scored 6 points and had 7 rebs at UC Davis (Dec. 15)... Grabbed season high in rebs (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 it ascend even higher earning a berth to 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 13 games (11 starts)... Currently leads the team in FG pct. (56.4), is 2nd in rebounds and (6.7 rpg) and 3rd in scoring (11.2 ppg) ... Last 4 games: Has averaged 14.5 points and 9.3 rebounds. During that stretch she is shooting 64 percent (25-39). She has also collected her first two double-doubles as a Sun Devil: 22 points, career high-tying 13 rebounds vs. Penn. (Dec. 30) and 10 points, 12 rebounds at Houston (Jan. 4)... 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)... added 14 points, hitting 86 percent of her shots (6-7) at Utah (Dec. 21), the third time this season she has shot higher than 80 percent in a game. In those three games – also vs. Arkansas State (80 percent/8-10/18 points) and vs. South Dakota (92 percent/12-13/career-high 26 points) – Parker has connected on 87 percent of her shots (26/30) and averaged 19.3 points... Had first double-double as a Sun Devils (22 points, career high-tying 13 rebounds vs. Penn (Dec. 30). Had second double-double: 10 points, 12 rebounds at Houston (Jan. 4).
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 75/104 games, including all 43 she has played at ASU.
2024-25
• Is the only Sun Devil who has played and started in every game this season and is 43rd in the nation in minutes per game (35.0/2nd in Big 12).
• In the Big 12, is 4th in FT pct. (84.2), 7th in 3-pointers per game (2.47), 8th in scoring (17.3 ppg/has scored in double figures in all but two games this season) and 3-point FG pct. (10th/35.9).
• 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 triple 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 54 games (36 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 11 games with 4 starts and is currently tied for 4th on the team in rebounds (3.5 rpg) and 3rd in O-rebs (1.7 rpg).
• Grabbed season-high 12 boards (one short of matching career high) at UC Davis (Dec. 15).
• Pulled down 7 boards vs. No. 14 Kentucky (Nov. 26).
• Scored season-high 11 points (5-7 FGs) vs. Texas Tech (Jan. 1).
#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 at ASU since 2000: 35 vs. CU (Jan. 7, 2024) & 34 points at UW (Jan. 21, 2024).
2024-25
• Has started 11 of the 12 games she has played in and is currently 13th in scoring (16.2 ppg) and in FT pct. (78.7), 15th in blocks per game (1.0) and 19th in FG pct. (42.4).
• Has scored in double figures 9x, 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).
• Added 22 points on 8 of 16 shooting at Utah (Dec. 21).
#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).
2024-25
• Has played in two games this season: vs. Oregon State (Nov. 17) and vs. Texas Tech (Jan. 1).
#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.
WHEN: Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. MST
WHERE: Mullett Arena • Tempe, Ariz.
WATCH: ESPN+
RADIO: KDUS AM 1060
LIVE STATS: Click here
PURCHASE TICKETS: Click here
UP NEXT
Currently riding a season-best three-game winning streak, the Sun Devil women's basketball team (8-7, 2-1 Big 12) will play its second of four contests at Mullett Arena this season when it hosts Iowa State (10-6, 1-2 Big 12) on Wednesday (6:30 p.m. MST).
ASU has won all three of its games since resuming play after the holiday break. Prior to their game vs. Penn on Dec. 30, the Sun Devils had not played a game since their Big 12 Conference opener at Utah on Dec. 21. After the longer-than-usual period of inactivity, ASU played three games in six days last week. It defeated Penn (73-67) on Dec. 30, captured its first Big 12 win in its first Big 12 Conference home game in program history (defeated Texas Tech 79-61 on New Year's Day) and concluded the stretch with a 69-60 win at Houston on Saturday.
WATCH/LISTEN
Wednesday's game vs. Iowa State can be seen on ESPN+/Braiden Bell (play-by-play) and former Sun Devil Arnecia Hawkins (analyst). 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. He will be joined by former Sun Devil head coach Maura McHugh.
SERIES NOTES
• This will be the fourth all-time meeting between ASU and Iowa State.
• Iowa State leads the series 2-1.
• The last meeting took place on Nov. 25, 1995, a contest won by the Cyclones 69-61 at the Cyclone Classic in Ames, Iowa.
RANKINGS OF NOTE
• Through games played Jan. 6, ASU is ranked among the top 60 teams in the nation in free throw pct. (32nd/76.1/3rd in Big 12), defensive rebounds per game (45th/28.1/6th in Big 12) and blocks per game (52nd/4.3/6th in the Big 12).
• ASU is also ranked in the top half of the Big 12 in rebs per game (5th/39.7), FTs made per game (12.9/8th) and scoring (8th/72.9 ppg).
• Individually, Kennedy Basham is 19th the in the nation in blocks per game (2.2/2nd in Big 12) and Tyi Skinner is 43rd in minutes per game (35.0/2nd in Big 12).
• ASU also has several players ranked among the Top 20 in the Big 12: Skinner is 4th in FT pct. (84.2), 7th in 3-pointers per game (2.47), 8th in scoring (17.3 ppg/has scored in double figures in all but two games this season) and 3-point FG pct. (10th/35.9); Jalyn Brown is 13th in scoring (16.2 ppg) and in FT pct. (78.7), 15th in blocks per game (1.0) and 19th in FG pct. (42.4); and Kennedy Basham is 12th in rebounds per game (6.8) and Kennedy Fauntleroy is 14th in steals per game (1.93). Fauntleroy has averaged 3.0 spg in ASU's last seven games, compared to 1.0 in ASU's last eight games.
NOTES FROM LAST GAME - ASU 69, @Houston 60
• Tyi Skinner scored 18 points, Jyah LoVett had 14 of her season high-tying 16 points in the second half and Nevaeh Parkinson posted her second double-double (10 points, 12 rebounds) in three games to lead the Sun Devil women's basketball team to a 69-60 win at Houston on Saturday.
• For the second time in three games, ASU held the opposition to an opponent low for points in a half (25 points in the second half). In addition, the 60 points scored by Houston represented the third-fewest points the Sun Devils have allowed in a game this season.
• Parkinson, Kennedy Basham (two points, nine rebounds, two assists) and Jazion Jackson (four points, seven rebounds, team-high three assists) combined for 28 rebounds – more than half of ASU's 46 boards – to help ASU finish plus-seven on the glass.
• Jalyn Brown, who missed ASU's last two games due to injury, scored nine points and Kennedy Faultneroy added seven points.
• Skinner, who scored eight of her 10 first-half points in the second quarter, made a 3-pointer to beat the second quarter buzzer and give the Sun Devils a 36-35 lead at halftime, an advantage they would not relinquish the rest of the game.
• LoVett's layup with with 7:01 left in the third quarter started a 16-3 run to give ASU a commanding 58-44 lead going into the fourth quarter.
• The Sun Devils shot 52 percent (15-29) in the middle 20 minutes. After not scoring in the first quarter, Skinner scored all 18 of her points and hit four of the team's six 3-pointers in the game during the same span of time.
• LoVett, who hit all five of her shots in the second half, scored seven of ASU's 11 points in the fourth quarter. On the defensive end, the Sun Devils allowed the Cougars to make only one of their final six shots after Houston pulled within six for the second time with 3:21 left in the game.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
• A win vs. Iowa State would give ASU its longest winning streak since the opening of the 2022-23 season when it won its first five games.
• Prior to its 102-82 loss at Utah, the Sun Devils were starting to make strides on the defensive end of the floor. After giving up an average of 76.0 points in their first eight games, the Sun Devils gave up 16.0 fewer points per game (60.0) in their contests vs. UMES, at UC Davis and at San Francisco. In the contests vs. UMES and UC Davis, the Sun Devils allowed a season-low 57 points in back-to-back games. Including last week's wins over Penn, Texas Tech and Houston, ASU has given up 67 or fewer points in six of its last seven games. Penn's 26 points in the last 20 minutes matched (what were at the time) the fewest points ASU had given up in the second half this season. They surpassed that in their most recent game at Houston, allowing the Cougars to score just 25 points in the last 20 mins.
• Tyi Skinner (7x) and Jalyn Brown (5x) have combined to lead or tie for the team lead in scoring 12x this season. Also among the single-game scoring leaders have been Nevaeh Parkinson (2x), Jyah LoVett (1x) and Kennedy Fauntleroy (1x).
• Skinner (13 of 15 games) and Brown (9 of 12 games) have combined to score in double figures 22 times this season. Skinner has scored 20 or more points 5x, including a career-high 30 points in ASU's opening win over Jacksonville State (Nov. 4). Brown has scored 20 or more points 4x.
• In ASU's last five games, LoVett has averaged 15.0 points and connected on 52.6 percent of her shots. Compared to her first 10 games, LoVett has averaged +5.9 more points per game and shot +11.4 percentage points higher.
• In ASU's last four games, Parkinson has averaged 14.5 points and 9.3 rebounds. During that stretch she is shooting 64 percent (25-39). She has also collected her first two double-doubles as a Sun Devil: 22 points, career high-tying 13 rebounds vs. Penn. (Dec. 30) and 10 points, 12 rebounds at Houston (Jan. 4).
• After playing seven consecutive game away from Tempe between
Nov. 26 - Dec. 21, ASU will play no more than two straight games on the road the remainder of the season.
• Kennedy Basham has had multiple blocks in seven games this season, including a career-high seven rejections at San Francisco (Dec. 17).
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 8-7 record. Some of the near misses...
• Against Arkansas State, the Sun Devils trailed by 13 with 6:15 remaining. After a 19-5 run, ASU was suddenly up by 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, ASU was 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.
WELCOME HOME
After home 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 started a stretch in which it did not play a home game for 43 days. A summary of what happened while they were away from Tempe:
• ASU split its contests at the Music City Classic in Nashville, Tenn., falling to then-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 (6.5 rebounds per game).
• Next it was off to the DMV where ASU once again split its 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.
• After time off for final exams, ASU was back on a plane, this time to Northern California for games at UC Davis (Dec. 15) and at San Francisco (Dec. 17). 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. For the second straight game ASU held the opposition to the fewest points its given up this season (57). 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 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. For the second time this season, Skinner came within one triple of tying the single-game school record after knocking down six vs. the Dons. The difference was at the FT 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).
• In the Big 12 conference opener at Utah, the Sun Devils posted their highest point total and best field goal percentage since Nov. 27. Despite its strong offensive performance, ASU was not able to come through with the win, falling at Utah 102-82. The Sun Devils scored more than 80 points for the fourth time this season and had their highest final point total since a 95-88 win vs. South Dakota at the Music City Classic on Nov. 27. ASU's shooting percentage of 48.4 percent was also its highest since the win over South Dakota (52.2 percent).
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. Out of the 15 games ASU has played thus far, Skinner has led or tied ASU in scoring 7x and Brown 5x times.
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 38 of 62 career games (14 of 15 at ASU).
AT ASU IN 2024-25
Has played in every game (14 starts) and currently leads ASU in blocks per game (2.2/19th in the nation/2nd in Big 12) and rebs per game (6.8/12th in the Big 12)... Grabbed career-high 13 rebs vs. GCU (Nov. 14)... Has had multiple blocks in seven games this season, including a career-high seven rejections at San Francisco (Dec. 17)... 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 came 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 (6 starts) and is 2nd on the team in 3FGs per game (1.3), is tied for 3rd in steals per game (1.3) and 4th in scoring (11.1 ppg)... Has also hit 89.5 pct of her FTs (17-19)... Has scored in double figures 9x and has recorded 3 or more steals 3x... Last 5 games: Averaged 15.0 points and connected on 52.6 percent of her shots. Compared to her first 10 games, has averaged +5.9 more points per game and shot +11.4 percentage points higher.... 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)... Scored season-high 16 points at Utah (Dec. 21)... Tied season high with 16 points, tied career high with 7 assists and pulled down career-high 7 rebs vs. Penn (Dec. 30).
#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 best season of 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 8 of 11 games she has played in and leads the team in steals (2.6 spg), is 3rd in rebounds (6.3 rpg) and 4th in assists (2.6 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)... Tied season high with 10 points and had season-high six assists vs. Texas Tech (Jan. 1).
#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.
AT ASU IN 2024-25
Has played in every game with 5 starts... Is currently 14th in the Big 12 in steals per game (1.9) )... Has averaged 3.0 spg in ASU's last seven games, compared to 1.0 in ASU's last eight games... Has dished 6 or more assists 5x, including a season-high 7 assists 4x times this season... 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... Scored 13 points and dished out 7 assists vs. Arkansas State Nov. (9)... Had season-high 17 points and handed out 6 assists vs. Texas Tech (Jan. 1)
#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 8 games (averaging 11.8 mins per game)... Had season highs in rebounds (4) and steals (2) at San Francisco (Dec. 17).
• Made first start of ASU career vs. Penn (Dec. 30) and made all 3 of her shots, including a pair of 3-pointers, for a season-high 8 points.
#15 /// Heavenly Greer /// F /// 6-3 /// Sr. /// Phoenix, Ariz.
• Like fellow first-year Sun Devil Kennedy Basham, Greer returned 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 career-high 30 contests in first season at K-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 10 games and connected on 56.3 pct of her shots (9-16)... Pulled down 6 rebs in season opener vs. Jacksonville State (Nov. 4)... Scored 6 points and had 7 rebs at UC Davis (Dec. 15)... Grabbed season high in rebs (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 it ascend even higher earning a berth to 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 13 games (11 starts)... Currently leads the team in FG pct. (56.4), is 2nd in rebounds and (6.7 rpg) and 3rd in scoring (11.2 ppg) ... Last 4 games: Has averaged 14.5 points and 9.3 rebounds. During that stretch she is shooting 64 percent (25-39). She has also collected her first two double-doubles as a Sun Devil: 22 points, career high-tying 13 rebounds vs. Penn. (Dec. 30) and 10 points, 12 rebounds at Houston (Jan. 4)... 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)... added 14 points, hitting 86 percent of her shots (6-7) at Utah (Dec. 21), the third time this season she has shot higher than 80 percent in a game. In those three games – also vs. Arkansas State (80 percent/8-10/18 points) and vs. South Dakota (92 percent/12-13/career-high 26 points) – Parker has connected on 87 percent of her shots (26/30) and averaged 19.3 points... Had first double-double as a Sun Devils (22 points, career high-tying 13 rebounds vs. Penn (Dec. 30). Had second double-double: 10 points, 12 rebounds at Houston (Jan. 4).
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 75/104 games, including all 43 she has played at ASU.
2024-25
• Is the only Sun Devil who has played and started in every game this season and is 43rd in the nation in minutes per game (35.0/2nd in Big 12).
• In the Big 12, is 4th in FT pct. (84.2), 7th in 3-pointers per game (2.47), 8th in scoring (17.3 ppg/has scored in double figures in all but two games this season) and 3-point FG pct. (10th/35.9).
• 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 triple 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 54 games (36 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 11 games with 4 starts and is currently tied for 4th on the team in rebounds (3.5 rpg) and 3rd in O-rebs (1.7 rpg).
• Grabbed season-high 12 boards (one short of matching career high) at UC Davis (Dec. 15).
• Pulled down 7 boards vs. No. 14 Kentucky (Nov. 26).
• Scored season-high 11 points (5-7 FGs) vs. Texas Tech (Jan. 1).
#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 at ASU since 2000: 35 vs. CU (Jan. 7, 2024) & 34 points at UW (Jan. 21, 2024).
2024-25
• Has started 11 of the 12 games she has played in and is currently 13th in scoring (16.2 ppg) and in FT pct. (78.7), 15th in blocks per game (1.0) and 19th in FG pct. (42.4).
• Has scored in double figures 9x, 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).
• Added 22 points on 8 of 16 shooting at Utah (Dec. 21).
#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).
2024-25
• Has played in two games this season: vs. Oregon State (Nov. 17) and vs. Texas Tech (Jan. 1).
#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.