I don't see either Ndour or Taponen working their way into the playing rotation next year, particularly if Green is able to bring viable options to the roster. If they couldn't get playing time last year given our size issues, they certainly won't be able to get it in the future. With two top notch guards coming in I don't see Rhodes getting much playing time next year. I don't know if Green is the kind of coach who encourages players at the bottom of the roster to seek opportunities elsewhere. I also don't know if Ndour can transfer without a special waiver. All in all, I would not be surprised if a number of these four were not on the roster next year.
Dewey seemed to make good progress towards the end of the year and could reasonably expect playing time in the future.
Camille Jackson is a big question mark. I don't know if she was hampered by injuries or was not able to make the transition to the college game. I was surprised she played in the tournament game against Rutgers, as I had sort of assumed she was taking a redshirt year because of her early season injury.
Jada Peebles has played four years but has a covid year available. Peebles started her junior year but lost starter status this year. She plays the same position as our two incoming freshmen and may lose playing time to them. I wouldn't be shocked if she decided to graduate and/or move on. I would not be surprised if she returns. She seems to be an excellent teammate.
In sum, it would not shock me to see as many as six otherwise eligible players leave the program in one way or another.
Peebles expressed prior to the end of the season her intent to return next year. Could that change? I guess.
I try to be optimistic about players improving over the offseason. If they will, we can't count out today any of those players who played scant minutes this year, finding more next and will contributing. I'm thinking of Rhodes, for example. Maybe she will be a stout competitor to Jackson, Oden, and the first-years Dolan and Allen. Ndour... Taponen... I really don't know what to expect from either. Their height is what it is. Can they play high D1 ball?
I, too, was impressed by Dewey in those appearances late in the season. I thought she showed good instincts and skills. She looked competent hitting a three. Perhaps limited speed, quickness, jumping, and physicality lessened her impact in rebounding and interior scoring? I wonder what offseason workouts could do in those areas.
I'm full of anticipation, waiting to see if we land an impact transfer big. Minnesota's Rose Michaux was a stud against us. Other names I see in the portal today include:
6'5" Lauren Ware (Arizona) - coming off year missed to injury, but solid reputation on the court.
6'3" Meg Newman (Arizona State) - footage I've seen shows a player with great athleticism who doesn't get the most out of her talents, not making the best situational decisions or playing a bit too fast. Raw potential is evident, though. Indiana native.
6'4" Ila Lane (UCSB) - led Big West Conference in field goal %, rebounding, and double-doubles.
6'3" Tadassa Brown (Clemson) - may have redshirted? High school footage shows an athletic, physical big who scores at 3 levels. May just need opportunity? Michigan native.
6'2" Ajulu Thatha (Southern Illinois Edwardsville) - averaged 14/9.
6'4" Amauri Williams (Vanderbilt) - top recruit dismissed from team in December
6'5" Sakima Walker (Northwest Florida State JUCO) - averaged 20/8 for the juco team this past season, but game footage didn't impress me.