Jeff Walz Louisville vs. Ole Miss Sweet 16, 3-24-2023 Photo by William Caudill, TheCrunchZone.com

Meet The ’23-’24 Louisville Women’s Basketball Team

Chrissy BantaOctober 19, 2023

Yeah, yeah, I know… it’s football season. Let me be the first to say that I am not only aware of it being football season, but I am also enjoying football season along with the rest of you.

However, we have a reloaded roster, and a full schedule has finally arrived for the 2023-2024 basketball season. I truly believe that excitement for both things can coexist and believe me when I tell you, we have a lot to be excited about this year.

As far as the roster is concerned, I think it’s fair to say that many of us were worried at the end of last season. Louisville had a midseason transfer from shooter Peyton Verhulst, who left to go play Big 12 basketball for Oklahoma. On top of that, we saw a large graduating class that included the likes of Mykasa Robinson, Chrislynn Carr, Norika Konno, Liz Dixon, Morgan Jones, and Josie Williams. Two of which we will see as grad assistants this season. Congratulations Mykasa and Josie! When news came out that Hailey Van Lith was transferring to LSU to play for the real-life Dolores Umbridge, I was certain we were all in full meltdown mode. We expected to see Jeff Walz build a dream team around HVL for her fourth season in a Cardinal uniform. The question remained; how would Jeff use the transfer portal to his advantage? We were left with very few and there were plenty of spots to be filled.

Never fear, this coaching staff hit the road (and the portal) to bring us one of the most exciting rosters we’ve seen as of late. Let me introduce (or re-introduce) you to the 2023-2024 roster!

The only incoming Freshman we should expect to see on the court this season is Elif Istanbulluoglu hailing from Turkey. A 6’3” forward who averages 11 points and 10.7 rebounds, she played in the 2023 FIBA U18 and U20 helping Turkey reach the quarterfinals.

Returning from last year are sophomores Alexia Mobley (red shirt) and Nyla Harris. We have a good idea of Nyla’s play on the court after seeing her make an appearance in all 38 games last season and starting 15 of those games. The five-star prospect averaged 3.6 rebounds per game and 4.2 points per game in 2022. Alexia is a player who I am personally excited to see more of on the court. She was a four-star coming out of high school and appeared in 7 games during her redshirt freshman year. Coming back from an injury late last season, she scored her first points in the ACC tournament against Wake Forest.

The junior class is made up of transfers Hennie van Schaik (CSU Bakersfield) and Jayda Curry (Cal). I’ve stated it once before, but will make it known again, I am the acting president of the Jayda Curry fan club. Before anyone tries to argue this, please see the below tweet.

https://x.com/chrissy_banta/status/1679628658820956161?s=20

Curry has a laundry list of accolades including All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention, Pac-12 All-Conference, Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, and Pac-12 All-Freshman Team. She was one of five players to appear in all 30 games and was a starter for all those games. She led the team in scoring with an average of 15.5 points per game and was one of eight players in D1 women’s basketball to score at least one three-pointer in every game of the season. Hennie van Schaik also has a few accolades under her belt as well, such as 2021-2022 All-Big West Freshman Team and 2022-2023 All-Big West Honorable Mention. She scored double digits in 16 of her 22 games played last season and averaged 7.2 rebounds per game. In her sophomore year she averaged 7.2 rebounds per game and scored double digits in 16 of her 22 games, 20 of which she was a starter. The 6’3” post can score and play tight defense bringing versatility to the roster.

Beloved Cardinal Olivia Cochran is back as a senior this year and appears to be striving for a banner year. In her junior year she was the only player to appear and start in all 38 games. She also led the team in rebounds with 6.5 per game, but her most important asset is her drive and leadership. As an experienced player under Jeff Walz, she knows the ins and outs of this program and what it means to wear a Louisville jersey. With so many new faces, this team will need an experienced leader on and off the court. Also bringing experience and tough game play to this year’s team is Merissah Russell. The 6’0 guard came off the bench in 37 games last season and helped the Cards win gold at the 2023 Global Jam. Russell averaged 4.7 points per game last season and was reliable on the boards. I truly think she will be the little bit of spice we didn’t know we needed on this year’s team. The third senior is Georgia Tech transfer Eylia Love. This 6’1” guard was a member of the 1,000-point club in high school and a Kansas 6A player of the year finalist. During her time with the Yellow Jackets, she averaged 6 points per game and finished third in team scoring her sophomore year with 10.5ppg. She also averaged 3.7 rebounds per game through her years at Georgia Tech. Eylia is a versatile player who should provide the Cardinals with great offensive and defensive performances all year.

Jeff Walz has a history of bringing in memorable grad transfers and this year is no different. Sydney Taylor is a name you’ll soon remember. The guard came to Louisville after leaving UMass and was named MVP at the Global Jam over the summer after hitting the game winning three-pointer against Canada. Last year she was Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team and All-Conference Academic Team, as well as being a part of the 1,000-point club. She’s a sharpshooter, averaging 16.1 points per game last season and was also tied for seventh in the country for three-point field goals made. Also bringing explosive offense to the roster this year is JMU grad transfer Kiki Jefferson, who was recently added to the Cheryl Miller Award watchlist. Prior to transferring to Louisville earlier this year, Kiki stacked up the accolades including the 2023 Sun Belt Player of the Year and the 2023 Sun Belt Tournament Most Outstanding Player. During her senior year at James Madison, Jefferson was averaging 18.7 points per game and 5.3 rebounds. She scored 20+ points in 16 games last year alone, including 22 points in 23 minutes against South Alabama. I should also mention she had 14 boards in those same 23 minutes. Last, but certainly not least, we have the former Florida Gator, Nina Rickards. She averaged 12.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game in her senior season at Florida and was a double-digit scorer in 22 or her 34 games played last year. She surpassed 20 points in four of those games.

The Cards are ranked #17 in the Preseason AP Poll and #15 in the USA Today Coaches Poll but are looking to move their way up quickly. They’ll open the season on the road in Cincinnati as they face the Bearcats on Monday, November 6^th at 6:00p.m. The home opener against DePaul is scheduled for Sunday, November 12^that 4:00. Season tickets are still available and you can secure yours by visiting www.gocards.com!