Last year UCLA had a decent 19-12 record, but only 9-9 in Pac 10 play as Nikki Caldwell made her Coaching debut for the Bruins. Two years ago UCLA was 16-15, but 10-8 in league play, for Kathy Olivier’s last season. And three years ago UCLA had a losing record for both the season and league play. In 2005-06 UCLA went to the NCAA winning their first game, after going 21-11 overall and 12-6 in the Pac 10. So four years later, UCLA wants to return to the Dance, the NCAA tournament.
UCLA lost only two players from last year and replace them with three newcomers with far more potential. Tierra Henderson averaged 6 points per game and Chinyere Ibekwe averaged 5 points and 6 rebounds per game. Both have graduated.
UCLA welcomes three newcomers, and two of them, Markel Walker and Jasmine Dixon were top 10 players in High School.
In the Post position the Bruins have three players led by 6-4 Jr Christina Nzekwe. Nzekwe hit a couple of Three’s at Stanford and 10 on the year, so we know she can step out and shoot, however she only 39% on all her attempts. She was UCLA’s 4th leading scorer, 6.3 and tied for 3rd leading rebounder, 4.8 per game, last season. Moniquee Alexander is a 6-6 Sr, who averaged 4.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Alexander only played 15 minutes per game. Candice Brown is a 6-3 Jr who didn’t play much this past season.
At the forward position UCLA has skill and depth. Markel Walker is a 6-1 frosh and a top 5 recruit. She was recruited from Philadelphia by Coach Caldwell and should have an immediate impact. Atonye Nyingifa is a 5-11 Soph who was a top 20 High School player and did have an immediate impact as a frosh. Atonye started 16 games and averaged 6.1 points, 6th on the team, and 4.9 rebounds, 2nd on the team.
Jasmine Dixon is a 5-1l Soph who transferred from Rutgers and will be eligible Dec 12th. She’s listed as a Guard, but could well be an Ashley Walker type player. Her game is power, but she is highly skilled, a top 10 player in High School. Nina Earl is a 6-1 Jr who averaged 16 minutes a game last season, scoring 6 points per game.
The top three scorers for the Bruins last season were Guards and they all return. Doreena Campbell is an all star candidate. She’s a 5-10 Jr who lead the team in scoring, 12.9, Assists, with a ratio of 1.25:1 assists to turnovers, and three point shooting, 40%. It should be noted that Campbell’s 26 three’s were only one behind the leader. UCLA does not shoot a lot of three’s. Erica Tukiainen is a 6-0 Sr and the # 2 scorer from last season at 8.3 points per game. Erica started all but one game.
Darxia Morris is a 5-8 Jr who was the # 3 scorer last season with an 8.1 average per game. Morris is very, very quick and was the 3rd Guard last year behind Tukiainen and Campbell. Rebekah Gardner is a 6-0 Soph who averaged 14 minutes and 4.4 points per game. 5-8 Sr Allison Taka saw action in every game last season. 5-3 Frosh Mariah Williams is a super quick Point Guard from Colorado and will add depth to this group.
UCLA’s non conference schedule includes Utah, Tennessee, Kansas and Texas Tech and maybe Iowa. They open Pac 10 at ASU then at home to Stanford and Cal. They are looking to make the NCAA Tournament, and being consistently a Post Season Player.
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