A product of coach Paul Westhead’s vow to expand his playing rotation is that several newcomers to the Oregon women’s basketball program will see playing time this year. While it’s impossible to know which of the five new players will make the biggest impact, each brings a variety of skills to the floor. Here is a look at the Duck’s newest additions.
Ariel Thomas
A 5’6″ freshman from McClatchy High School in Sacramento, Calif., Thomas will be counted on to backup point guard Nia Jackson. Ranked the No. 29 point guard in the nation by Scouts Inc., Thomas led the Sac-Joaquin Section in scoring her senior year at 25.9 points per game.
Coach’s comment: “She is playing very well. She’s an explosive player, she has great speed and she can really shoot the ball. She’s kind of feisty on defense, so she has all the components. We have high expectations.”
Ashley Buis
A 5’11” junior college transfer from Vincennes University in Indiana, Westhead recruited Buis for her shooting ability. At Vincinnes, Buis was a two-time honorable mention National Junior College Athletic Association All-American. Her sophomore year, Buis averaged 14 points per game and knocked down 69 three pointers.
Coach’s comment: “She’s a shooter. We brought her in to help supplement the loss of Taylor Lilley and this young lady can really shoot the basketball.”
Danielle Love
A 6’2″ freshman from Cascade High School in Everett, Wash., Love has an uncanny shooting touch for a post player. A four-year varsity starter in high school, Love averaged 16.6 points and 11.2 rebounds per game as a senior. Just as impressive, Love made 90 percent of her free throws. At Oregon, Love will play what Westhead described as a “trailing five” — in other words, a post player who specializes in hitting mid-range jumpers off a fast break.
Coach’s comment: “We’ve only been practicing a handful of times and I don’t know what I expected, but we’re getting more than what I expected. She seems to be very comfortable in what we’re doing. I’m very surprised that she’s blended in so fast; she can shoot the ball and she has good skills.”
Deanna Weaver
A 5’11” swingman from Wilcox High School in Santa Clara, Calif., Weaver averaged 18.4 points per game and earned Co-Most Valuable Player honors of the DeAnza League her senior year. Described as an “X factor” by Westhead, Weaver has the versatility to play at either the shooting guard or small forward position.
Coach’s comment: “She’s already played a few different spots, so in baseball terminology, she’s like a utility player, but a quality utility player. She can really score and she knows what do when she has the basketball. If the shot clock is winding down, six seconds to go, she’d be a kind of player where you get it in her hands and she’ll figure out something for you and you like players like that, so she’s a skilled offensive player.”
Chynna Miley
A 6’2″ freshman from Southwest Dekalb High School in Atlanta, Ga., Miley is expected to bring a strong rebounding and defensive presence to the Ducks. Ranked No. 35 among high school senior post players by ESPN.com, Miley led her high school team to three consecutive Georgia AAAA state championships.
Coach’s comment: “She’s an inside player who has a nice touch inside and we like her skill, we like projecting that she’s going to help us in the future.”
[email protected]