Though the six Oregon women’s basketball seniors come from different recruiting classes and backgrounds, they never stopped persevering, Lexi Petersen said.
They didn’t quit when ACL injuries kept them from playing or when a new coaching staff shook up the program’s basketball approach. That will has given Oregon’s seniors something to play for in their regular season finale at Matthew Knight Arena versus USC on Sunday.
The Ducks hope to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005.
“It hasn’t all been easy, but we knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” guard Jordan Loera said. “Just as new girls came and went and coaches, it’s just like how we all stayed together as a family. It wasn’t always about the wins and losses. It was just making those life-long friendships. Very thankful for that.”
On Sunday, the Ducks will honor their six-member senior class in a pregame ceremony.
Jillian Alleyne, 6-3 forward, Fontana, California
Alleyne holds the Oregon career rebounding record and is 124 points away from tying the career points record. Alleyne, a likely first-round pick in the WNBA Draft, has started 114 career games for the Ducks. This year has been her best in terms of shooting percentage (58.2 percent).
“She’s been a great teammate,” Lexi Petersen said. “It’s been awesome to play with someone of that caliber. She’s going to play at the next level. It’s awesome to be able to play with her. She has all these amazing records and is still so humble. I think we can all learn from that.”
Liz Brenner, 6-1 forward, Portland, Oregon
Brenner rejoined the program before the 2015-2016 season. She’s played in 72 career games and scored 401 career points.
“How many sports has she played here? Liz is such a beast,” Lexi Bando said after Oregon’s win over San Jose State in November. “She’s not afraid to go up with it, she’s an amazing passer and it’s so fun to play with her. She plays with so much poise and confidence.”
Kat Cooper, 6-0 guard, Tacoma, Washington
Cooper transferred to Oregon from Boston College as a fifth-year transfer. Once recruited by coach Kelly Graves at Gonzaga, Cooper jumped at the chance to return to the Pacific Northwest. She’s become a 3-point threat for the Ducks this season, shooting 44 percent and averaging 7.1 points.
“She’s great,” Graves said. “She makes plays other than just the shots. She gets a rebound here or there. She’s taking charges. She does a lot of little things, other than just shoot.”
Katie Gruys, 6-0 guard, Maple Lake, Minnesota
Gruys earned a scholarship last spring after playing for three seasons as a walk-on. She’s appeared in 58 total games for Oregon.
“Every team needs people like her,” Graves said. “Not everybody can be the star. You have to have supporters. She’s filled that role great. She never complains, comes to practice and works her butt off. … She’s going to be one of those players that I will remember, really, forever.”
Jordan Loera, 5-9 guard, Moses Lake, Washington
Loera has played in 111 games at Oregon and started 45. She’s accumulated 531 career points and averaged 20.1 minutes through four years.
“Jordan is a rock,” Graves said. “She’s such a great kid. To do what she’s had to do here, I don’t know, a couple of ACL injuries. … It’s been tough for her. She could’ve just given up, but she didn’t. She stuck with it. She’s an amazing lady.”
Lexi Petersen, 5-11 guard, Tukwila, Washington
Petersen reached 1,000 career points earlier this season. She’s played in 117 total games and is having her best year shooting from beyond the arc at 42.5 percent.
“There’s been so many great memories over the last five years,” Petersen said. “The one that sticks out to me the most is our foreign tour in Spain. That was incredible.”
Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne