Pac 12 Preview:

Updates: Washington’s GiGi Garcia will redshirt again with injuries.

Arizona has a commitment from 6-6 SoCal Post Semja Smith ranked about 90.


Pac 12 Preview: UCLA

Last Season: UCLA was 25-9 last season and 13-5 in conference play. The Bruins won their first two NCAA games before losing in the Sweet 16 to UConn.

The Coaches: Cori Close is in her 7th season as the Head Coach. Close has 123 wins in her 6 seasons, 20 wins per year. She went to HS in the San Jose area.
Jenny Huth joined the Bruins with Close, so now in her 7th year also.
Shannon Perry is in her 7th year and she coached at Duke for 5 seasons.
Tony Newnan like the others is in his 7th season. Thus the entire staff together from the first season Close coached at UCLA.


Losses:
Kari Korver averaged 9 points and hit 77 threes at 35%
Nicole Kornet averaged 8 points and hit 48 threes but at 26%.
Korver and Kornet hit 125 threes or about 55% of the Bruin threes
Paulina Hersler averaged 3 points and 3 rebounds.


Additions:
Lindsey Corsaro is a 6-1 Redshirt Frosh Wing ranked # 15 out of HS. Lindsey originally committed to Kentucky, then de committed when players transferred from Kentucky. Corsaro played just 4 games this past season before redshirting.

Ally Rosenblum is a 6-4 Soph Post ranked # 47 out of HS. Ally is from the great Mater Dei program in Southern California. Ally did play 12 games but saw little action before sitting out the rest of the season. She did average 3 rebounds in 8 minutes.

Lajahna Drummer is a 6-1 Redshirt Jr Forward who played just 2 games before redshirting like the two above with injures. Drummer has only started 9 games in her 2 years at UCLA but has averaged 6 points and 5 rebounds and will see a lot of action this coming season.
Now the Frosh and a transfer:

Chantel Horvat is a 6-1 Guard from Australia. Chantel was ranked # 15 in the class. Her father was a famous Australian soccer player.
Kayla Owens is a 6-1 Guard, ranked # 45. Owens is from Texas.

Michaela Onyenwere is a 5-11 Forward from Colorado ranked # 10. Her father ran in the Olympics for Nigeria. Michela could also run track if desired with excellent marks for the 100, 11.99 and 200, 24.55.

Japreece Dean is a 5-6 Jr Guard who transferred from Texas Tech. Dean averaged 12 points and 3 assists as a frosh at Texas Tech and was Big 12 Frosh of the week 6 times. She played just 2 games last season before transferring to UCLA so I presume she will be able to play about Dec 20.

Lauren Miller is a 6-1 Forward from Missouri who ranked # 16. Although ranked about 70 my other services.
This is the 5th ranked class.



The Schedule: UCLA plays Baylor UConn and Oklahoma State. In league play the Washington schools only away and the Arizona schools only at home.



The Team: Jordin Canada is a 5-6 Sr Point Guard who led the team in scoring at 18 points per game. Canada averaged 7.1 assists per game with a 2.7:1 assist to turnover ratio. Jordin also averaged 5 rebounds 2nd on the team. Canada is one of the top players in the country.

Monique Billings is a 6-4 Sr Post. Last season Billings averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds per game. She also led the team in blocks and here’s a great stat for a post, she was 3rd on the team in steals. Billings was rated as high as # 17 out of HS. Another top player in the country.

Kennedy Burke is a 6-1 Jr Wing. Last season Burke averaged 12 points and 5 rebounds. Burke was ranked as high as # 16 out of HS.

Kelli Hayes is a 6-0 Sr Guard who averaged 6 points and 4 rebounds per game. Kelli is from Mitty HS and was ranked as high as 26.
Ashley Hearn is 6-4 Jr 4/5. Hearn hasn’t played much in two years, just 8 minutes per game last season. However Ashley was ranked as high as # 12 out of HS.

Chrissy Baird is a 6-1 Jr Guard who redshirted last season.


Predictions:
A potential Final 4 team if the frosh jell with the upper class. In any case will certainly contend for the Pac 12 title.


2018 Recruiting:
Ahlana Smith is a 5-9 Guard from North Carolina ranked # 34.
Shayley Harris is a 6-5 Post from NorCal ranked just outside the top 100.
Kiara Jefferson is a 5-9 Guard from NorCal ranked # 65.