- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 416,491
- Reaction score
- 43
A week removed from one of the most successful seasons in program history, Kansas State women's basketball already was looking at a major roster overhaul heading into next year.
The Wildcats' 28-8 record left them just one victory short of the school record, and the NCAA Tournament run to the Sweet 16 was their first since 2002.
But with that success comes the loss of four senior starters and a top reserve, including a pair of honorable mention All-Americans. And now, to further complicate matters, four more players with remaining eligibility have entered the transfer portal in the past two days.
The most notable portal hits are starting sophomore guard Zyanna Walker and senior Brylee Glenn, who redshirted this year. Also gone are junior reserve forward Eliza Maupin and freshman guard Finley Ohnstad.
Walker, a Wichita native and 2023 transfer from Louisville, stepped into the starting lineup this season and averaged 8.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists after playing a key reserve role as a redshirt freshman last year. She also was named to the Big 12 all-defensive team, frequently guarding the opponent's top scorer.
Related: Why Kansas State women's basketball star Ayoka Lee chose not to pursue a WNBA career
Related: Kansas State women's basketball switching focus from Sweet 16 euphoria to facing USC
Related: Kansas State women's basketball guard Jaelyn Glenn excels in the role of unsung hero
Glenn, twin sister of four-year starter Jaelyn Glenn, also was a starter for most of her three seasons before deciding to redshirt this year. She started 93 of her 102 games at K-State, averaging 7.6 points and 1.4 steals.
Maupin appeared in 33 games this season with two starts and averaged 3.9 points and 2.8 rebounds in 12.3 minutes per game but played behind starting center Ayoka Lee and top backup Kennedy Taylor for most of the year.
Ohnstad, the only true freshman on the roster, did not see any game action.
Also gone are starting center Ayoka Lee, K-State's all-time scoring and rebounding leader, all-conference point guard Serena Sundell, forward Temira Poindexter, guard Jaelyn Glenn and center Kennedy Taylor, who filled in capably when Lee was injured. All five are out of eligibility.
Coach Jeff Mittie already has assembled a nationally ranked high school recruiting class, led by five-star guard Jordan Speiser. The Wildcats also signed four-star guard Aniya' Foy and Spanish national point guard Gina Garcia Safont in November, and this week they picked up four-star wing Brandie Harrod, who flipped her commitment from Auburn when the Tigers' coach left.
With the return of sophomore sharpshooter Taryn Sides to go with the incoming freshmen, K-State is well positioned in the backcourt. Mittie's no doubt will look to the portal for interior help, with post players Lee, Taylor and Maupin all gone, leaving sophomore Imani Lester as the lone post player.
Gisela Sanchez, a 6-foot-4 forward, also is eligible to return for her senior year after averaging 4.2 points and 3.1 points off the bench.
Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at [email protected] or on X (formerly Twitter) at @arnegreen.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State women's basketball faces roster overhaul for next season
Continue reading...
The Wildcats' 28-8 record left them just one victory short of the school record, and the NCAA Tournament run to the Sweet 16 was their first since 2002.
But with that success comes the loss of four senior starters and a top reserve, including a pair of honorable mention All-Americans. And now, to further complicate matters, four more players with remaining eligibility have entered the transfer portal in the past two days.
The most notable portal hits are starting sophomore guard Zyanna Walker and senior Brylee Glenn, who redshirted this year. Also gone are junior reserve forward Eliza Maupin and freshman guard Finley Ohnstad.
Walker, a Wichita native and 2023 transfer from Louisville, stepped into the starting lineup this season and averaged 8.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists after playing a key reserve role as a redshirt freshman last year. She also was named to the Big 12 all-defensive team, frequently guarding the opponent's top scorer.
Related: Why Kansas State women's basketball star Ayoka Lee chose not to pursue a WNBA career
Related: Kansas State women's basketball switching focus from Sweet 16 euphoria to facing USC
Related: Kansas State women's basketball guard Jaelyn Glenn excels in the role of unsung hero
You must be registered for see images attach
Glenn, twin sister of four-year starter Jaelyn Glenn, also was a starter for most of her three seasons before deciding to redshirt this year. She started 93 of her 102 games at K-State, averaging 7.6 points and 1.4 steals.
Maupin appeared in 33 games this season with two starts and averaged 3.9 points and 2.8 rebounds in 12.3 minutes per game but played behind starting center Ayoka Lee and top backup Kennedy Taylor for most of the year.
Ohnstad, the only true freshman on the roster, did not see any game action.
Also gone are starting center Ayoka Lee, K-State's all-time scoring and rebounding leader, all-conference point guard Serena Sundell, forward Temira Poindexter, guard Jaelyn Glenn and center Kennedy Taylor, who filled in capably when Lee was injured. All five are out of eligibility.
Coach Jeff Mittie already has assembled a nationally ranked high school recruiting class, led by five-star guard Jordan Speiser. The Wildcats also signed four-star guard Aniya' Foy and Spanish national point guard Gina Garcia Safont in November, and this week they picked up four-star wing Brandie Harrod, who flipped her commitment from Auburn when the Tigers' coach left.
With the return of sophomore sharpshooter Taryn Sides to go with the incoming freshmen, K-State is well positioned in the backcourt. Mittie's no doubt will look to the portal for interior help, with post players Lee, Taylor and Maupin all gone, leaving sophomore Imani Lester as the lone post player.
Gisela Sanchez, a 6-foot-4 forward, also is eligible to return for her senior year after averaging 4.2 points and 3.1 points off the bench.
Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at [email protected] or on X (formerly Twitter) at @arnegreen.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State women's basketball faces roster overhaul for next season
Continue reading...
