Throwing together a list I've been working on since the portal opened of more names I like, some maybes, and some long shots:
Names that I like:
Elina Arike, 6'2" F, Sr. Texas Tech
-Prior to '23 she played at 3 seasons at UTEP and was named CUSA Defensive Player of the Year in '23
-Lots of familiarity with MTSU and fits the playing style.
-Started 5 games for TTU, averaged 3.7 points, 2 rebounds (avg 12 points, 5 reb, 2 ast Jr. season at UTEP)
Elle Evans, 6'3" G, Soph. North Dakota State
-Started all 34 games for NDSU (22-12, 2nd place Summit), averaged 15.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists
-Her statline would indicate she can do it all and she does. Shoots 47.5% from the field including 45.7% clip from three (5th in the country) while making 2.2 per contest.
-Good balance of size, ball handling, vision, scoring threat, and 3 more years of eligibility
Denim Deshields, 5'5" G, Soph. UAB
-Another familiar name on the list, All-CUSA Freshman member two seasons ago
-Averaged 13.4 points/game and 5.3 assists/game matches the true-PG the Raiders are looking to instantly plug in
-Growing up in nearby Atlanta, mom and sister both played at Tennessee
Alexis Mead, 5'5" G, Jr. Western Kentucky
-Tough sell - but her statline is intriguing. 11 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists.
-She's quick off the dribble, great passer (plus A/TO), and an average deep threat (33% from deep in her career)
-Got into a little in-game spat in the contest in Murfreesboro, but she has the competitive mentality that would plug in well and knows the CUSA landscape.
Caitlin Weimar, 6'4" F, Sr. Boston U
-31st in the country in shooting percentage (55%) with a big frame and guaranteed nightly double-double (18.7 points, 10.6 rebounds)
-Good ball handler (for a big) and has knack on the defensive side with 88 blocks and 39 steals in '24.
Gracie Merkle, 6'6" C, Soph. Bellarmine
-Mentioned her in a previous thread, great all-around player and would have immediate impact with her size
-Coming off an injury in '23-'24, but scored 15.1 points, 11 rebounds in her Freshman/Defensive POY first season
McKinley Brooks-Sumpter, 5'7" G, Sr. UNC-Asheville
-Averaging nearly 15 points/game in her senior season, Brooks-Sumpter gets a lot of scoring done inside the arc and at the free throw line.
-Strong efforts on the glass averaging 6.9 rebounds/game, and has good assist numbers with 2.8 assists/game
-Not a threat from deep (6-of-30 from 3 last season) and turnovers a little high for my taste (3 TO/game).
Other names to keep an eye on:
Jayden Marable, 5'6" G, Sr. Northern Illinois
Makayla Andrews, 5'10" G Sr. Lafayette
Alexsia Rose, 5'7" G Sr. UMass
Khamari Mitchell-Steen, 5'7" G Jr. Northern Kentucky
Joiya Maddox, 6'0" G Sr. Chattanooga
Emma Theodorsson, 6'1" F Soph. Bucknell
Alexis Whitfield, 6'2" F Sr. UC-Santa Barbara
Jazion Jackson, 5'9" G Sr. Texas Tech
-transferred to TTU from UTEP
Caroline Lyles, 6'0" G Soph. Tulsa
-offered out of HS
Jane Nwaba, 5’10" F Sr. Pepperdine
Laniah Randle, 5'11" F Jr. Southern Illinois
P5's that could realistically fall through:
Janae Walker, 6'4" F Fr. Kentucky
Bailey Gilmore, 6'3" F Fr. Vanderbilt
Gabby Hutcherson, 6'2" F Sr. Pittsburgh
Cameron Williams, 6'3" F Sr. Michigan
Alyssa Latham, 6'2" F Fr. Syracuse
Malea Williams, 6'4" F Sr. Cincinnati
Zoesha Smith, 6'1" F Sr. Georgia
Longshots:
Kaylene Smikle, 6’0" G Soph. Rutgers
Maddie Scherr, 5’11" G Sr. Kentucky
-Offered out of HS
Terren Ward, 5’11" G Sr. Georgia Southern
Taliah Scott, 5’9" G Fr. Arkansas
Hailey Van Lith, 5'7" G Sr. LSU
