Portal

[Dmills]

Her numbers were actually better as a freshman at 12.7/6.2. Hopefully she takes a step forward this year. This seems to be who will replace Wilson. I'm expecting her to battle with McGowan for minutes.

 

[cubird]

Had a medical redshirt first year. Photos playing with a knee brace. Nursing major may be another factor picking ISU.

 

[Reggie Redbird]

I would venture Drew Cole being here is a big reason. He would have recruited her to ACU before coming here. I like that she’s a true post. Wide open minutes for her to take on, and she is someone who can average 30+ minutes.

 

[SgtHulka]

 

[TbooMarshall]

Looks like Neveah Thomas from Evansville joining us as well. MVC All Freshman Team. 16 ppg and 7 rpg. Great get for the Birds.

 

[Bdub777]

Nevaeh Thomas becomes second transfer to commit to ISU women's basketball

Illinois State women's basketball picked up its second transfer commitment of the offseason as former Evansville forward Nevaeh Thomas announced her commitment to the Redbirds Wednesday.

www.videtteonline.com

Very good pickup!! Welcome Nevaeh!!!

 

[Reggie Redbird]

Having Wong, Dowell, and Bullman all back would give us a chance no matter who we lost. We’re going to need to bring in another post. We have good FR talent coming in at PG and SG, but a combo guard who can run in both spots would be helpful.

I’d be a-ok going after some Valley talent in the portal, starting with Naveah Thomas from UE.

Nevaeh Thomas - Women's Basketball - University of Evansville Athletics

Nevaeh Thomas (22) Forward - PREP • Played four years for Mary D. Bradford High School • Named to the WIAA Southeast all-conference team each of her four prep

gopurpleaces.com

What is interesting - we have 4 players departing as seniors. We then lose 2 FR and 2 SO. Boles was expected, but to lose all 3 of Lenz, Coffey, and Aalsma is surprising.

Can I say I called Neveah Thomas?

If I can ask for one more player to consider: Jayden Marable. IL player, can handle the ball and score. You could run a lot of sets with Wong and Marable on the court together.

 

[TbooMarshall]

D3 POY. 5’8 Grad Transfer. Averaged 26ppg at Millikan.

 

[cubird]

WOW! Very skilled and herald Div III talent taking a big jump up. Guess Philo is really the center of the universe More size in the back court should. Hopefully, she will be able to transition up as well as Paige.

 

[normalbird]

I hate to lose Aalsma, especially to Drake, but Coach Gillespie continues to demonstrate why she is so outstanding: reloading with incredible talent. And I believe she still has two slots to fill.

 

[normalbird]

I hate to lose Aalsma, especially to Drake, but Coach Gillespie continues to demonstrate why she is so outstanding: reloading with incredible talent. And I believe she still has two slots to fill.

Maybe these 2 slots are freshman commits Trista Fayta (Green Bay Notre Dame) and Grace Nelson (Altamont).

 

[TbooMarshall]

Maybe these 2 slots are freshman commits Trista Fayta (Green Bay Notre Dame) and Grace Nelson (Altamont).

Returners-
Guards-
Wong
Waite
Dowell
Cohen
Veach

Post-
McGowan

Signed:
Guards-
Fayta (Fr)
Nelson (Fr)
Knudsen (Grad)

Post-
Thomas (So)
Martin (Jr)
Washington (Fr)

3 open spots to fill 15

 

[Reggie Redbird]

We only had 14 players on the roster last year, so it’s possible we don’t use them all. Looking back 2 years ago, 3/15 players are still here (Wong, Cohen, Veach).

 

[normalbird]

Coach Gillespie is quoted in today’s Pantagraph as saying she plans to fill one of her current three open slots.

Would be way cool if Bullman changed her mind and came back for another season.

 

[Dmills]

Looks like she redshirted last year? Should have 2 years of eligibility.

 

[TbooMarshall]

ODU article from the fall mentions she was injured in preseason and would miss 2023-24 season. Good stats from Seward Comm College 2022-23 (12pts 8rbs and 3 asst). Impressive 2 week run for the Birds in the portal.

 

[normalbird]

The De’Shawnti Thomas commit could signal Coach G is done assembling her 2024-2025 roster. My questions would be:

On paper, do we look improved from a year ago’s roster? Can our DIII POY from Millikin do a Paige Robinson repeat? Can our platoon of new bigs fill the gap upfront left by the departure of Wilson and Bullman?

I’m excited!!

 

[Reggie Redbird]

The De’Shawnti Thomas commit could signal Coach G is done assembling her 2024-2025 roster. My questions would be:

On paper, do we look improved from a year ago’s roster? Can our DIII POY from Millikin do a Paige Robinson repeat? Can our platoon of new bigs fill the gap upfront left by the departure of Wilson and Bullman?

I’m excited!!

I remember Thomas’ father Wilson at Nebraska. He is one of their most athletic guys they had, a WR at a time when they didn’t pass as much, but he also saw limited basketball for them. He could have also been a college track star. It sounds like De’Shawnti is super athletic, so I wonder if she fills a role we have seen with T’Shonna Wright-Gaskins or Daijah Smith with incredibly athletic forwards.

I look at our additions positively. We were also very balanced, considering we lost 8 of 14 players (4 graduation, 4 transfers).

For posts, Thomas was a home run (documented All-Conference player with room to grow), Martin gives experience and production, and Thomas adds depth/potential. I wish we had another year of Kate, but I’m excited that we have 5 posts. McGowan continues to look better, so hopefully she has a great summer of workouts.

Guard play: I don’t think Knudsen will come in with the same expectations at Paige, but if she can be a scorer at 7-8 PPG, I would be happy. More than that: I would be ecstatic. It will be interesting to see what roles Wong is in, If our Fayta is excelling at PG, Wong could see some time off-point with her ability to drive and shoot outside. If Nelson is playing well, Maya will be in her usual spot handling the ball.

I have three starters penciled in: Wong, Dowell, Thomas. Everyone will have an opportunity to earn time.