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ASU Basketball: What Does the Future Hold For Women’s Team?

By Sam Ficarro

Jan 3, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils women's basketball coach Charli Turner Thorne is presented with an award marking her 400th career win during the first half of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Wildcats won 94-82. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils women's basketball coach Charli Turner Thorne is presented with an award marking her 400th career win during the first half of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Wildcats won 94-82. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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The ASU basketball women’s team is about to enter a new era after the graduation of the most-successful-season class in school history.

The ASU basketball women’s team is reflecting on a what-could-have-been season after the Sun Devils were eliminated in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Sun Devils now turn the page to a new era after the most accomplished senior class in program history of Sophie Brunner, Quinn Dornstauder and Kelsey Moos graduated.

Coming into this season, the Sun Devils were replacing the majority of the backcourt production and relied heavily on the freshman class.

Guards Reili Richardson, Kiara Russell and Robbi Ryan had their ups-and-downs this season as you would expect from freshmen, but they performed well after receiving a lot of minutes due to injuries.

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Heading into the 2017-18 season, the script will be flipped as ASU would look for players to step up to fill the holes the seniors are leaving in the frontcourt.

Forward Kianna Ibis will likely be a starter next season starting as a stretch forward.

Ibis has the ability to stretch the defense with her 3-point ability and also is a strong rebounder so ASU shouldn’t lose a beat defensively.

The player that will be most interesting to watch next season is forward Jamie Ruden.

Ruden had her freshman season shortened after suffering a Jones fracture early in the season and was expected to miss to the remainder of the season.

The freshman forward made a surprise return in the Pac-12 Tournament after being cleared by doctors and not eligible for a medical redshirt because she played in over 30 percent of the team’s games.

Ruden was quite effective in March, which included a 12-point performance versus UCLA in the second round of the Pac-12 Tournament, showing flashes of potential for next season and beyond.

If Ruden can be fully healthy next season, she and Ibis can provide ASU with a multi-dimensional offense with the ability to stretch defenses.

This is not to mention that ASU will have transfer forward Courtney Ekmark next season to go along with a freshman class featuring Eva Rubin and Bre’yanna Sanders.

Next: Top Storylines for ASU Athletics in 2017

Some might expect ASU to take a step back next season but with the increased roles of those returning, the further development of the current players and the incoming freshman class, the Sun Devils should be a solid team next season and competing near the top of the Pac-12.