The Future of Lady Tiger Basketball

While we still have the NCAA tournament left and definitely have what it takes to impress and make it to a Sweet 16 (or more if the cards fall right), I really am more interested in what the future holds for this program. Afterall, we are due to return soon to “elite” status.

Reasons why I think why the next several years could be special for Lady Tiger Basketball regardless of what happens in the post season:
•Chloe Jackson returns, and likely for 2 more years (2nd year player for LSU w/ medical redshirt at NC State...not entirely sure if eligible for 2 years, at least back for one). This national Top 10 finalist for the Ann Meyers award is only in her 2nd season playing for the Lady Tigers, and this second year she’s proved to be a huge asset. Leading scorer, smooth jump shot, can hit 3’s, seems to have “picked up a thing or two” from Raigyne regarding defense and steals, seems like a very “cerebral” player who makes good decisions, good ball handling, and handles pressure well. When push comes to shove, Jackson steps up.
•Ayana Mitchell. She has really grown and stepped up her sophomore season, especially the last month or so. She has started to become a rebounding machine, and she can put up baskets. She has the potential to be a double-double machine the next two years. Her and Chloe Jackson are also strong leaders for this team moving forward. Starting to show why she was a Top 100 recruit out of High School.
•Jaelyn Richard-Harris: I was unsure of this sophomore last year, but this year she’s impressed me. Her energy more than makes up for her size and she can knock down 3’s. Moving forward, would like to see her become a more consistent 3 point shooter. When she has knocked down several 3’s for us, we’ve shined.
•Freshmen:
-Khayla Pointer: can knock down 3’s, good ball handling, smart passes, can drive to the basket. A Top 100 recruit that has shown growth this season and has the potential for much more next year.
-Faustine: has the size, can block, has potential to put up more points and needs to hustle more
-Raven: has the size, a McDonald
All-American and Top 100 recruit, has the potential to do as much damage as Ayana, and maybe more?
-Cherry: this freshman has surprised me this year, especially as of late. Has a sweet jump shot from the side. I can see so much potential from her after the off season. She can be an offensive machine. She also plays with such focus and intensity.
•Other: Yasmine, sophomore: has size, hustle, has potential to develop more offensively.
•The fact that there are so many players to comment on for next year, and I didn’t even hit all of them, is night and day compared to a few years ago when we were short on players, much less good players.
•Nikki Fargas: she can coach, and she can develop players. Even her critics don’t argue that. Tennesse Vols fans want to steal her away for a reason.
•Mickie DeMoss: Former Associate HC with legendary Pat Summit herself, Hall of Fame Coach, earned herself a reputation for recruiting. Credit seems to go to her for landing Farley (don’t know how accurate that is), but I feel like we’ve felt her presence so to speak this last year for sure.