ASU Women’s Basketball: Young players stepping up in their first college season

(Courtesy Photo: Sun Devil Athletics)

Even with junior Taya Hanson assuming a position as one of the leaders of the team on and off the court, it has been the underclassmen who have stood out and rose above expectations that have the Sun Devils sitting at 7-3.

The team, however, has not played since Jan. 3 due to COVID-19 developments within the program. A message from head coach Charli Turner Thorne posted on Twitter on Tuesday said that the team will be back for its next scheduled game on January 22 versus Colorado at Desert Financial Arena.

With the Sun Devils on this three-week hiatus, it gives everyone some time to recognize what kind of future the program has not just for the rest of this season, but for the next few seasons to come.

Starting with freshman guard Jaddan Simmons, she is second on the team in minutes per game with 29.6, trailing only behind Hanson in that aspect. She’s averaging 10.8 points per game, but most importantly, she leads the team in assists with 22. Simmons has been a floor general for the Sun Devils this season which was on full display in their New Year’s Day win over California. Simmons recorded seven assists to go along with nine points and a steal in the three-point win. She has quickly risen to one of the top contributors to the team.

Sophomore Eboni Walker has become the rebounding machine for ASU this season grabbing 57 so far in eight games. 35 of these rebounds have come on the defensive end. Her four blocks and 11 steals have made her a nuisance for opposing offenses. Her 9.9 points per game are not too shabby either.

Freshman Katelyn Levings is one of three Sun Devils to start all 10 games so far this season along with Hanson and Simmons. The freshman from Oklahoma City has been a solid and steady contributor all season long. Her 48 rebounds are second on the team to Walker and 27 have come on the offensive side of the ball giving the Sun Devils a lot of second chance opportunities. Eight steals and four blocks make Levings a well-rounded player in her first season in Tempe.

After ASU’s 56-48 comeback win over Utah on Dec. 18, Turner Thorne was thrilled with the poise of the freshmen.

“They just have no fear,” Turner Thorne said. “We get plenty of freshmen and sophomores with fear in their eyes and we show none of that which is amazing to me. It’s exciting to see where this young team could go because of that.”

Hanson praised the young players after just their first game, a 56-47 win over Stephen F. Austin.

“I am just so impressed with them. They’re amazing,” Hanson said. “They came into this program with their whole heart and soul and have poured everything into this season. They are stepping up to the plate.”

Other young players like sophomore Sydnei Caldwell and freshman Maggie Besselink have also been contributors to start the season. Caldwell is tied with Walker for the team lead in steals and Besselink’s five blocks and five steals have kept steady defensive pressure on the court at all times for the Sun Devils.

“I’m excited about these young players,” Hanson said after the team’s 68-60 loss to No. 1 Stanford on Jan. 3. “They have grit and come in to work hard to do their job. That’s an awesome foundation of that belief and I’m proud of them for it.”

Turner Thorne echoed Hanson’s statement and is excited for the remaining 16 games on the conference games, including games that were postponed.

“The learning curve they’ve shown and where they’re at right now for their level of experience is exceptional,” Turner Thorne said. “They’re not into moral victories. That tells you have kids that want to be champions.”