5/8/2020 other sports Edit

A look ahead at the Wolfpack women’s 2020-21 roster

Justin H. Williams • TheWolfpackCentral

Staff Writer

NC State women’s basketball head coach Wes Moore pulled over off of a highway in the middle of Texas to meet with the media Thursday in a virtual press conference.

Two months after the Wolfpack won its first ACC Tournament championship since 1991, Moore has been able to enjoy the success of last season while also remaining busy to capitalize on the program’s momentum.

“From a recruiting standpoint, we’re definitely trying to stress it,” Moore said. “We’re working our tails off to try and trying to get it done to take advantage of the success we’ve had the last few years.”

After welcoming the No. 8-ranked recruiting class in the country last season according to ESPN, Moore stressed the importance of continued success on the recruiting trail now that the Wolfpack has emerged as a nationally elite program.

“We finished ninth in the country last year, eighth in the country this year,” Moore said. “We’re in the high cotton level now, it’s tough out here.”

With two four-star ESPN100 recruits arriving this fall and four starters returning from last year, expectations will be high again this season for defending ACC Tournament champions. Here is a look forward to what the roster may look like the next time the Wolfpack women hit the court:

Projected Starting Five

Point Guard — Kai Crutchfield (Senior)

Rising senior Kai Crutchfield will assume starting point guard duties next season according to Moore. (The Associated Press)

After starting 31 of 32 games last year, Crutchfield returns for her senior season as the most likely candidate to start at the point guard position. While she already handled some of that responsibility last season, Crutchfield will have less help with last year’s seniors Aislinn “Ace” Konig and Kaila Ealey now gone.

“Crutchfield will probably be handling the ball and playing the point some,” Moore said. “There’s still a lot of question marks out there.”

Crutchfield averaged 7.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game last year.

Shooting Guard/Wing — Jakia Brown-Turner (Sophomore)

Brown-Turner was one of two Wolfpack freshmen last season selected to the All-ACC Freshman team. Starting in 31 of the 32 games, Brown-Turner earned more starts last year than any other freshman during Moore’s time at NC State.

The former five-star recruit’s game is more so that of a wing rather than a true shooting guard. However, based on Moore’s desire to inject fellow 2019 class member Jada Boyd into the lineup, it makes the most sense for Brown-Turner to remain on the perimeter.

Brown-Turner averaged 9.4 points and 3.6 rebounds per game last season.

Forward — Kayla Jones (Senior)

Jones will not only have to help make up for some of the offense Ace Konig produced last season, she will have to take a step up as a leader in the locker room as well.

“Kai Crutchfield and Kayla Jones, our two seniors, we’re obviously going to be looking to them for a lot of leadership,” Moore said. “Both of them have had great careers so far and have done an awesome job for us.”

Jones was one of three players to average double figures in scoring last year and she was also the second leading rebounder on the team. She averaged 10.0 points and 7.1 rebounds per contest as a starter in every game.

“We’d like to get Kayla Jones and Jada Boyd on the court together,” Moore said. “Does that mean Kayla is going to have to try to play the three on offense and then we'd have Boyd play the three on defense.”

Forward — Jada Boyd (Sophomore)

Boyd makes the most sense as a replacement for Konig’s former spot in the starting lineup. While she took some time to adjust to the college game, Boyd shined late in the season and in the ACC Tournament when called upon.

“We have to get Jada Boyd on the court,” Moore said. “That’ll be a priority.”

With both Boyd and Jones on the court at the same time, Boyd would likely assume a role in the post on offense but could step out to guard the perimeter on the defensive end with her quickness and length.

Boyd averaged 7.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per contest despite averaging only 15.7 minutes per game.

Center — Elissa Cunane (Junior)

There will be big expectations for the “Big Smile” next year.

“Elissa is just such a great person, a friendly person, they call her ‘big smile’ a lot,” Moore said. “Well, I’d like her to be called ‘big frown’ on the court more.”

Cunane was a unanimous first-team All-ACC selection and earned third-team All-American honors. For the beginning stretch of the ACC schedule, she was even a favorite to win ACC Player of the Year. Coach Moore was not shy in sharing his thoughts in how Cunane could still improve from last year’s success.

“I want her to use the baby hook a little bit more, I think with her length that could be effective,” Moore said. “She's got to use her left hand more effectively. Really, just too many turnovers. She’s got to be able to pass the ball out of the double team because she’s going to get double teamed.

“Defensively, she's got to have an attitude that she gets mad when she gets scored on.”

The head coach still gave her praise as he talked about her potential the next two years and her exceptional shooting ability for her size.

“When she comes down in that trail position, I have as much confidence in her to shoot the three as anybody on our team,” Moore said. “Third team All-American as a sophomore, exciting future for her.”

Cunane averaged 16.4 points and 9.6 rebounds per game last year.

Reserves

Guards

PG Kendal Moore (Sophomore)

“Last year you had Ace, Kaila Ealey, a senior experience wise, and you had Kai Crutchfield that could all handle the ball and run the point,” Moore said. “Now, two out of those three are gone. So it's going to have to be a Kendal Moore stepping up and doing those things.

“Kendall Moore can really shoot the ball well. What I have to do a better job of and what we've got to help her do is be a quarterback. She’s used to playing in a situation where she had to score 30 points every night. In our situation, we want our point guard to be a quarterback, get everybody involved and distribute the ball.”

PG Genesis Bryant (Freshman)

Bryant could see the most minutes among the two freshman in the 2020 class due to Moore's need to add to the rotation of viable ball-handlers next season. Depending how quickly she adjusts to college competition, she could earn a chance to play important minutes off of the bench.

“[Bryant] was co-player of the year in her classification in Georgia and a really heady player,” Moore said. “Again, it's still a big jump from high school to the ACC, so we’re not sure how ready she's going to be, but we'll see.”

G Dontavia Waggoner (Freshman)

Just like Bryant, Waggoner is another four-star talent and a member of the 2020 ESPN100. Listed at 5-11, Waggoner could be the go-to reserve at the shooting guard position since the projected starting lineup already leans forward-heavy. Ultimately, Waggoner’s playing time next year depends on how quickly she can adjust to the level of competition in the ACC.

Forwards

Center Camille Hobby (Sophomore)

Hobby was a four-star recruit in the 2020 class that found time off the bench during stretches of last season. While she was still early in her development, Hobby showed flashes of potential including an 11-minute, four-point, three-rebound performance against Georgia Tech in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals.

Forward Elle Sutphin (Redshirt Freshman)

Sutphin was a three-star recruit and, along with Kendal Moore, was the second North Carolina product in the five woman 2020 class. After taking a redshirt year to adjust to competition at the college level, Sutphin should see significant minutes off of the bench as the most versatile 6-footer among the reserves. Standing at 6-3, Sutphin could slide into the post in a pinch or serve as a substitute on the perimeter.

Center Jada Rice (Junior)

Rice also redshirted last year and could play a similar role as Erika Cassell did last season. Standing 6-4, Rice is a natural shot blocker that averaged almost two blocked shots per 40 minutes as a freshman. Look for Rice to come in for support when Cunane gets in foul trouble.

Potential for a transfer

While nothing is official yet, Moore seemed to hint there could be more help on the way.

“We’ve got some potential transfers still out there that I think will make a decision next week, maybe, after this shut down period.”

As for how much of a role a potential transfer could play next season for the maturing Wolfpack, it will ultimately depend on their seniority.

“You’ve also got the transfer situation, that is still to be determined,” Moore said. “Obviously, a graduate transfer can come in and play immediately. There is still a possibility of something like that happening.”