My apologies for not getting this article published before the Oral Roberts game. I had every intention of getting these done before the season started, but if wishes were horses we'd all be eating steak.*
*Editor's Note: This is actually MY fault (Seymour's) for not publishing the post submitted. My sincerest apologies.
Nina Davis - Sophomore - #13
Nina Davis is a baller. Well, technically she is a power forward, but she's the one to keep an eye on if you like buckets. Davis was the 2013-2014 Freshman of the Year, and started 31 games as a freshman. This year she is a Preseason All-Big 12 First Team selection. She was second only to Odyssey Sims in scoring last year, averaging 14.8 points per game and recorded 10 double-doubles, the second most in the Big 12. She also led the Big 12 with 8.8 rebounds per game. However, probably her most eye-popping stat to me was her 59.6% field goal percentage. Not only did she lead the Big 12, she came in fifth nationally. The next best freshman nationally was 30th. An interesting fact is that she plays power forward at only 5' 11", which you would think would think would put her at a disadvantage, but her stats obviously tell a different story. To put her height into perspective, she was the only player under 6' with a percentage over 55% last year and was only one of 3 players in the top 50 nationally. If you couldn't tell by now, I'm a fan. If you want to have a single player to watch this year, you couldn't go wrong picking Davis. I fully expect to see her to continue to be a key figure for the team and would not be surprised to see her lead the team in points and rebounds.
FINAL: BU 102, Tarleton 41. Five finish in double figures, led by Nina Davis' 28 on 12-of-13 shooting. Morgan Ashmore led TSU with 8.
— Jason Orts (@SportsWithOrts) November 11, 2014
Ieshia Small - Sophomore - #24
Iesha Small came to Baylor as a 5-star recruit out of Florida, ranked as the number 19 prospect in the nation. She currently plays guard for the Lady Bears. Last year she averaged 3.1 points per game, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 11.5 minutes of play. While she didn't see a ton of playing time as a freshman, the need for this team to find offense, coupled with Ieshia's ability to play both forward and guard, I expect to see her become an impact bench player once she recovers from her high ankle sprain.
Well then, Ieshia Small with a little dipsy-do from the baseline, Baylor women lead OU 40-21 w/3:10 left 1st-Half.
— David Smoak (@DavidSmoak) February 25, 2014
Imani Wright - Sophomore - #20
Imani Wright plays guard for the Lady Bears. Last year she averaged 5.1 points per game, and over half her buckets came in the form of 3 pointers. She also averaged 1.7 rebounds a game. In the Round of 32 game against Cal, Wright came into the game and played 12 minutes while sinking three of Baylor's five 3-point shots for 9 points. Much like Ieshia Small, Kim looks forward to Wright contributing more this year from the bench and look for her to be an outside threat when she's on the court.
RT @BaylorWBB: Imani Wright buries a three to give Baylor a 1-point advantage at halftime. #SicEm #ncaaW pic.twitter.com/baSZRbWAcN
— Baylor Athletics (@BaylorAthletics) March 25, 2014
Khadijiah Cave - Sophomore - #55
Khadijiah Cave is a 6' 2" center / power forward for Baylor. In 36 games last year she averaged 5.6 points and 5 boards in 12.8 minutes of action. While she only had one double-double last yaer, against Nicholls State, she stepped up against Kentucky in the Sweet Sixteen and scored 18 points and pulled down 9 boards. Look for Cave to come off the bench underneath and make her presence known.
This Khadijiah "KK" Cave has really played critical minutes & played well 4 @KimMulkey and @BaylorWBB the last several games, Baylor up 12.
— David Smoak (@DavidSmoak) March 29, 2014
Alexis Prince - Redshirt Sophomore - #12
Alexis Prince is a forward for Baylor University. She received a medical redshirt last year due to season-ending foot surgery after having played in only 4 games. In her freshman year she averaged 5.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 13.9 minutes of play. Coming out of high school, she was a five-star recruit, ranking 16 overall and the #2 wing. During her time on the sideline, she encouraged her team mates and helped her become a leader on the team. Look for that sideline leadership to transition to a starter role this year. With her ability to play underneath as well as shoot the three, she should be a versatile asset for the team this year all over the court.
Bold (or not so bold) prediction: Alexis Prince will dunk before the season is over. Gliding through the air with ease. #Hops
— Sean Giggy (@sgiggy_kwtx) November 15, 2014
Dekeiya Cohen - Freshman - #1
Dekeiya Cohen is a forward for the Lady Bears. Cohen was a five-star recruit out of Charleston, SC. Her junior year in high school, she averaged 26.7 points, 13 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.5 shots blocked per game. During her senior year she suffered a partial ACL tear that ended her senior year early but she appears to be recovered now. In the first exhibition game, she scored nine points and got three rebounds. Watching film of her, I expect her to be a standout freshman that could make a big impact in her first year.
.@BaylorWBB freshman Dekeiya Cohen skipped practice today...to pitch her invention to investors in Silicon Valley: http://t.co/xUq9yZhtf5
— NCAA Women's BKB (@NCAAWomensBKB) October 9, 2014
Kristy Wallace - Freshman - #4
Kristy Wallace is a point guard from Queensland, Australia. She was honored by Basketball Australia, being named 2013 Junior Player of the Year. She also won a bronze medal earlier this year at the Australia U-20 Championships, averaging 18.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists, and she also attended the Australian Opals National Team Training Camp in February. With Odyssey Sims graduating, look for Kristy Wallace to fill that void and see immediate playing time.
Kristy Wallace #4 our new point gaurd is real! #Baylor #SicEm
— Jet ✈ (@PACKmain) November 11, 2014
Micayla Buckner
Micayla Buckner is a post from Garland, Texas. She's my favorite of the bunch, but I may be biased having a daughter named Michaela. However, since this post is about Micayla Buckner, she played for Garland Naaman Forest High School, where she helped the team advance to the second round of the state tournament. She earned district Defensive Player of the Year honors as a junior. Look for here to play in relief of Sune Agbuke this year.
Naaman Forest High School's Micayla Buckner was named SportsDay HS's girls basketball player of the week: http://t.co/RYQIQh7k
— Garland ISD (@gisdnews) February 5, 2013