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ASU Women’s Basketball: A look at potential rotations

By Alex Weiner

TEMPE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 08: Arizona State Sun Devils mascot "Sparky the Sun Devil " performs during the college football game against the Michigan State Spartans at Sun Devil Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 08: Arizona State Sun Devils mascot "Sparky the Sun Devil " performs during the college football game against the Michigan State Spartans at Sun Devil Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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ASU women’s basketball‘s potential last season was hampered due to their lack of depth. This season, the depth has become a strength.

ASU head coach Charli Turner Thorne is no stranger to using most of her players throughout games and last year was no exception.

Her two freshmen, Eva Rubin and Bre’yanna Sanders, were the only players who didn’t average 10 minutes per contest, yet they still combined for 13 each game.

But, the Sun Devil roster is larger entering this season, as four new freshmen are in the picture and only one veteran, Sabrina Haines (transfer), is gone. So, what could the rotation look like?

Starters

Unless the Devils change their strategy and start smaller, they should have a similar starting five as last season.

At center, senior Charnea Johnson-Chapman started every game in 2017-2018 and she should man the middle again. She was productive putting up 6.7 points with 6.5 rebounds per contest while providing solid rim protection (led the team with 20 blocks).

In smaller lineups senior Kianna Ibis could fill in at center, but she will more than likely start at the four spot once again.

Ibis was the team’s leading scorer, and her production jumped in the NCAA Tournament. She is a dangerous post presence with a good finish and mid-range shot. Look for her to be the focal point of the offense. If defenses clamp down on her in the post, she could also open up opportunities for teammates beyond the arc.

At small forward, Courtney Ekmark is probable to return to her role. It took her some time to find her rhythm after transferring, but once she did she was an effective outside scorer. She shot 37 percent from three.

ASU has a plethora of guards, but the two most used last year were juniors Robbi Ryan (shooting guard) and Reili Richardson (point guard).

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They both fitted their roles well last season with Ryan coming into her own as a scorer after Haines’ injury (10.2 PPG) and Richardson’s ability to run the offense (166 assists).

Bench

The sixth-man, especially at first, looks to be junior guard Kiara Russell.

She only started four times last year, but Russell played over 22 minutes per game. She struggled offensively only shooting 43 percent from the floor and 28 percent from three.

With new freshmen guards like Taya Hanson and Jamie Loera on the roster, Russell’s offensive production will need to improve in order to keep her minutes up.

As for the rest of the second unit, Turner Thorne has options to turn to down low in returning bigs Sophia Ellenga, Rubin or hybrid big and deep threat Jamie Ruden.

Rubin was sparingly used last season, partly due to injury, but she was a four-star recruit according to ESPN prior to going to Arizona State.

Plus, she is the tallest player on the team so her involvement should rise this campaign. Ruden and especially Ellenga played about 32 combined minutes per game last season.

Due to Rubin plus two new six-footers coming in, Jayde Van Hyfte (could see time at the three and four) and Iris Mbulito (most likely will see time at the two and three), Elenga and Ruden’s minutes will probably be more spread out.

In the backcourt, a lot of substitutions will likely take place to start the season as ASU figures out what rotations work.

During Pac-12 Media Day, Turner Thorne said that her freshmen will be impact players. Hanson and Mbulito look to be especially ready given their international experience along with high school success.

Hanson should mix in a lot with Russell and perhaps defensive specialist Sanders at guard spots. Mbulito will likely came in and play on the wing.

Regardless, Turner Thorne has a great problem. Her Pac-12 Tournament semifinalist and Round of 32 squad is back along with even more help.

But it could take until conference play begins for their regular rotation to show itself, which means one should see a lot of combinations in the early weeks of the season.

Next. ASU Women’s Basketball: Non-conference schedule analysis. dark

ASU starts the year at home against Incarnate Word followed by a neutral site matchup against the dangerous Baylor Lady Bears.