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Gracie Merkle is set to enter the transfer portal out of Penn State.

Posted on 4/1/26 at 3:59 pm
Posted by Makavellimw
Stockbridge,Georgia
Member since Sep 2008
637 posts
Posted on 4/1/26 at 3:59 pm
Gracie Merkle is set to enter the transfer portal out of Penn State.
The 6’6” junior center averaged 19.2 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.3 APG & 1.1 BPG in 26 games this season. Her 72.48% FG ranked 1st in D1.
Posted by bearhc
Member since Sep 2009
5833 posts
Posted on 4/1/26 at 4:16 pm to
Hello, U Conn
Posted by Septiger
Member since Nov 2020
3329 posts
Posted on 4/1/26 at 4:56 pm to
She doesn’t fit a team that likes to run up and down the court.

Posted by TigerDCC11
Member since May 2007
3062 posts
Posted on 4/1/26 at 4:59 pm to
No, but she can get the rebound and start the transition. And then, probably just stand there and wait for the next rebound.
Posted by 6R12
Louisiana
Member since Feb 2005
11796 posts
Posted on 4/1/26 at 6:04 pm to
quote:

No, but she can get the rebound and start the transition. And then, probably just stand there and wait for the next rebound.


Posted by Jim bean xxx
Member since Sep 2018
9875 posts
Posted on 4/1/26 at 6:34 pm to
Someone that can take up space, blockout, and get some rebounds

And maybe make a layup here and there

Lol
Posted by LesnarF5
Member since Apr 2015
9981 posts
Posted on 4/1/26 at 10:32 pm to
That's one big girl.
Posted by Metaloctopus
Louisiana
Member since Nov 2018
6859 posts
Posted on 4/2/26 at 1:29 am to
quote:

She doesn’t fit a team that likes to run up and down the court.


If this girl doesn't fit the system, then I don't know why they recruited Del Rosario. What this team severely lacks, and consistently gets beat by, is big girls who can produce. We either have small "bigs" who are good players, but can't get anything going against bigger players, or we have players like Koval and the aforementioned Del Rosario who who just aren't skilled enough to be counted on. Koval is certainly far better than ADR, but not someone who could take over a game if we needed her to. Not so far, anyway.

So I think you have to get bigger, and not worry so much about the pace. You can go small and play fast if the game dictates it, but that style isn't getting LSU past other elite programs who keep beating us when it matters.

Posted by LSUFreek
Greater New Orleans
Member since Jan 2007
16248 posts
Posted on 4/2/26 at 9:27 am to
Watching her highlights, I've noticed she catches the ball really well, doesn't have hands of stone, doesn't bring the ball down to take a dribble that puts the ball in a position to be fumbled/swiped-at/stolen/jump-ball'd. She keeps the ball high and makes efficient 2-to-3 foot bank shots/layups/putbacks.





Those efficient skills alone makes her an upgrade over our current 6-5 lumberjack but Merkle also brings the same built-in advantages for blocking & rebounds a giant/wide-body usually brings.
This post was edited on 4/2/26 at 9:39 am
Posted by Slickback
Deer Stand
Member since Mar 2008
28132 posts
Posted on 4/2/26 at 9:32 am to
Audi Crooks just announced she’ll hit the portal too. 25.8 points and 7.7 rebounds.
Posted by Septiger
Member since Nov 2020
3329 posts
Posted on 4/2/26 at 9:52 am to
quote:

doesn't bring the ball down to take a dribble that puts the ball in a position to be fumbled/swiped-at/stolen/jump-ball'd.


Koval definitely does that but you’d think Starkey would coach her out of that .
Posted by LABred08
Dallas, Tx
Member since Feb 2011
440 posts
Posted on 4/2/26 at 10:18 am to
You have to understand just how bad Penn State was to understand why this is a bad idea. Her stats look good but are just the result of her and Kyomi Miller being the only people who could consistently do ANYTHING. Dont be fooled.
Posted by bearhc
Member since Sep 2009
5833 posts
Posted on 4/2/26 at 12:32 pm to
Big 1 or whatever they call it was horrid in WBB.
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