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USA Today
16-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin women's basketball adds standout transfer forward, second addition of offseason
Wisconsin women's basketball adds standout transfer forward, second addition of offseason Wisconsin women's basketball made its second splash of the 2025 offseason on Tuesday. Roughly one week after Wisconsin added its first transfer addition in former NC State guard Laci Steele, the team has bolstered its frontcourt with a much-needed addition. Recently hired head coach Robin Pingeton landed a commitment from former Southern Illinois forward Gift Uchenna, the first signature splash of her tenure in Madison. While Steele boasts an impressive high school resume -- 2023 Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year and Edmond-North High School's all-time scoring record -- she averaged just 1.7 points and 0.9 rebounds in limited minutes as a sophomore at NC State. Uchenna, meanwhile, dominated at Southern Illinois in her first season of collegiate action. The Ebonyi State, Nigeria, native averaged 14.5 points, 12.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 28.7 minutes per game. Her 12.8 rebounds were the second-most by any player in NCAA Division I, trailing only LSU star forward Aneesah Morrow. Uchenna's rebounding talent is undeniable. She snared at least 15 boards in nine games last season, including a 21-rebound performance against Valparaiso on Dec. 29. She also collected 21 double-doubles during her tenure with the Salukis, highlighted by a 34-point, 17-rebound performance against IU Indianapolis in mid-November. While Wisconsin will have a tough time replacing star forward Serah Williams, Uchenna could partially fill the void created by her departure. Wisconsin now rosters eight players as of April 15. Four of those eight were true freshmen a season ago and saw limited playing time in the rotation. While Pingeton's task in transforming Wisconsin's program will take time, her first frontcourt transfer addition was key with both Williams and standout center Carter McCray gone to the portal. The Badgers went 13-17 a season ago, a regression from their 15-17 output and WNIT appearance during the 2023-24 season. The team also went 4-14 in Big Ten play, barely securing a bid to the 2025 Big Ten Tournament. Pingeton's pedigree at Missouri immediately provides UW with an experienced presence on the sidelines. However, the Badgers' new staff has considerable work left as the program faces a top-down rebuild. Uchenna's addition is a strong starting point. Her ability to translate her level of play to a challenging Big Ten Conference remains to be seen, but the potential is clear. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
09-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin women's basketball adds former NC State guard, first transfer of 2025 offseason
Wisconsin women's basketball adds former NC State guard, first transfer of 2025 offseason Wisconsin women's basketball made its first splash of the 2025 offseason on Saturday. Following one of the busier March windows in recent program history, the Badgers added former NC State Wolfpack transfer guard Laci Steele. Steele marks the first portal addition under recently-hired head coach Robin Pingeton, who took the reigns following former head coach Marisa Moseley's resignation. Steele initially entered the portal on March 31 after two seasons with NC State, where she averaged 2.7 points and 9.7 minutes in 55 career games. As a true freshman, Steele appeared in 32 games off the bench and notched 3.4 points in 11.8 minutes played per game. During that time, she also hit 20 three-pointers, shot 80% from the charity stripe and finished with four double-digit scoring games. The 5-foot-11 guard's production dwindled during her sophomore campaign, a season during which she recorded 1.7 points and 0.9 rebounds in limited minutes. Steele arrived in Raleigh after being named the Oklahoma AAU Player of the Year, Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year and Oklahoma Max Preps Player of the Year in 2023. Her 21.3-point-per-game output as a senior at Edmund North High School, where she left as the all-time leader in both points and steals, elevated her to the No. 56 overall recruit in the class of 2023. So, while the collegiate production might not pop off the screen, Steele's ceiling is much higher than advertised. Like many college athletes, she struggled to discover consistent minutes in a crowded backcourt. She is now headed to a program in need of any offensive contributions. Above all, Steele's acquisition allows Pingeton to exhale slightly. The first move at a new program, no matter how substantial, is notable for any first-year head coach. Steele is a respectable first move, given her background and potential. Before further transfer movement, Wisconsin now rosters seven players as of April 8. Four of those seven were true freshmen a season ago and saw limited playing time in the rotation. UW will look to add more names, specifically in the frontcourt, to its roster over the coming weeks. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Superstar Spotlight: Keeley Parks breaks Norman girls basketball all-time scoring record
In January, Keeley Parks became Norman High School's (Oklahoma) all-time leading scorer, surpassing 1,455 points. And she did it in style, averaging more than 25 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals as a senior. Parks is committed to Kansas for good reason. She currently profiles as a combo guard who can shoot but can also handle the ball when needed. In college, her rebounding prowess could allow her to develop into more of a small forward on the wing. In short, depending on what the Jayhawks need she should be able to help anywhere in the backcourt. Reigning Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year Keeley Parks dropped a cool 30 pc against Norman North in their Cross Town Clash win Friday eveningShe also had 11 rebounds, several steals and multiple blocked shotsHere are a few of her toughest plays — No-Look Media (@NoLookMedia1) February 23, 2025 As a junior, Parks was named the Oklahoma Gatorade Girls Basketball Player of the Year. Also, she was the OKC Metro High School Sports Awars Girls Basketball Player of the Year after averaging 26.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 5.6 steals. Most impressively, she led a team that had graduated 10 seniors to within a game of the Class 6A state tournament. She also had 51 points in a game against Midwest City. Parks is listed as No. 16 on USA TODAY High School Sports' 25 in '25 Girls Basketball Recruiting Rankings. She will enter the postseason as the favorite to repeat as the top girls basketball awards winner at the 2024-25 OKC Metro High School Sports Awards, which are June 10 at the Young Family Athletic Center in Norman. The Girls Basketball Player of the Year Award is Presented by the Young Family Athletic Center. More: Superstar Spotlight: LSU women's basketball recruit Divine Bourrage has something to prove This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School Sports Wire: Keeley Parks breaks Norman girls basketball scoring record
