Defending champion UCLA women’s basketball lands top transfer
The UCLA women’s basketball group added some star energy as its revamped roster begins to take form.
Former Iowa State ahead Addy Brown introduced Thursday she is committing to UCLA, giving the Bruins one of many top gamers within the transfer portal.
The 6-foot-2 senior co-starred with Audi Crooks for Iowa State her first three seasons and was a part of a mass exodus from this system after the Cyclones’ season ended within the first spherical of the NCAA match.
Brown averaged 11.9 factors, 8.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists final season whereas capturing 43.1% from the ground and 33.8% from three-point distance. She performed simply 21 video games due to harm however is likely one of the greatest gamers on each ends of the court docket in the marketplace.
The Bruins additionally introduced again junior guard Elina Aarnisalowho performed at UCLA as a freshman earlier than transferring to North Carolina for final season, and was re-elected in Texas Christian guard Donovyn Hunter just a few weeks in the past, including two skilled gamers to their depleted roster after a record six UCLA players were selected in the WNBA draft.
UCLA additionally signed Arkansas guard Bonnie Deasa sophomore, this month. She is more likely to begin at level guard and is likely one of the greatest rebounding guards within the nation.
Along with returning ahead Timea Gardiner, the Bruins are beginning to type a core to defend their nationwide championship. Gardiner was a key reserve throughout UCLA’s 2024-25 Final Four run however missed this previous season due to an harm and has one season of eligibility left.
A lineup with Deas and Aarnisalo within the backcourt, Hunter at small ahead, Gardiner or Brown at energy ahead and Sienna Betts or one other middle within the center can be a aggressive lineup within the Big Ten.
Hunter performed two seasons at Oregon State, the place she earned All-Pac-12 freshman group honors. Last season with a Horned Frogs group that went to the Sweet 16, she was third in scoring with 10.2 factors per sport, averaged 3.2 rebounds and was an All-Big 12 defensive group choice. She shot 45.7% from the sphere and 33.7% from past the arc.
Aarnisalo initially dedicated to UCLA in 2023. Because of accidents to level guard Kiki Rice At the beginning of the 2024-25 season, Aarnisalo was compelled into motion early in his freshman season and completed averaging 5.1 factors whereas enjoying all 37 video games.
The Helsinki native averaged 10.2 factors for the Tar Heels as a sophomore whereas capturing 47.3% from the sphere and 40.3% from past the arc. The Bruins will desperately want to interchange the three-point manufacturing misplaced with the departures of Rice, Gianna Kneepkens and Charlisse Leger-Walker.
Coach Cori Close mentioned she needed to signal 5 gamers from the portal. She most likely wants yet one more guard and a little bit extra ahead depth coming off the bench following the departures of Gabriela Jaquez and Angela Dugalic.
Lena Bilica 6-3 sophomore, and Amanda Musea 6-4 senior, are returning reserves who received a little bit enjoying time within the NCAA match and will have a lot bigger roles, however they’re nonetheless comparatively unproven in late-game conditions. They will get an opportunity to develop as backups with some extra skilled starters now within the fold.
