Texas A&M women's basketball head coach Gary Blair often says that players make their biggest jump between their freshman and sophomore seasons. The student-athletes have had a full season to adjust to everything that being a college athlete entails—classes, a different level of competition, a brand-new set of coaches and teammates, the rigor of a college strength and conditioning regimen, and for many, being away from home for the first time. It's the summer after the freshman year that players have finally adjusted and can focus on improving their game.
Blair has more good news coming in that case. For the first time anyone can remember, there are eight sophomores on the 2018-19 Texas A&M women's basketball team. Seven of those eight were on the roster last season for the team that won 26 games and advanced to the 2018 NCAA Sweet 16. To top it off, the Aggies return the first National Freshman of the Year in program history, Chennedy Carter.
"Our system is changing a bit on offense," said Texas A&M head coach Gary Blair. "We will drive more to the basket and play more of a spread, moving people around due to the versatility of the players we have."
12thMan.com sat down with Coach Blair earlier this summer, and he was gracious enough to provide a run-down of how the 2018-19 Aggies are shaping up, position-by-position. Parts one and two focus on the A&M guards.
Aahliyah Jackson (So.)
Jada Walton (So.)
Shambria Washington (Jr.)
Kayla Wells (So.)
Aaliyah Wilson (So.)
Jasmine Williams (Jr.)
Blair believes that he has more depth at the point guard position than he has had in the past, and it is of course, highlighted by the return on 2018 National Freshman of the Year, Chennedy Carter.
It is the addition of Shambria Washington (Ocala, Fla./College of Central Florida), that provides the extra depth at the point guard position, in addition to Carter.
"Shambria Washington knows how to run a ballclub, that's still more of a pass-first point guard who is more a distributor," said Blair. "She can be a natural leader, and she will be able to come in and help Chennedy at the point guard position."
Carter had a marvelous freshman season, averaging 22.7 points per game, the most among the nation's freshmen, and came up clutch in the biggest moments, hitting game-winners at Southern California and in the NCAA Tournament against DePaul.
"How many players could have handled her responsibility as a freshman?" Blair asked. "The bigger the game, the better Chennedy played. She became known for how well she played in the big games."
Blair, like any coach would, is still looking for ways Carter can improve her game. After being in the system a year, and learning what to expect at this level, he knows she will continue making the adjustment.
"We might slide her over to shooting guard more often, where she plays in international competition with USA Basketball, which will create even more opportunities for her," added Blair. "This team allows us to move more toward position-less basketball."
As good as his team is at the point guard position, Gary Blair is even more excited about his wings.
"The wing position is our strength due to the depth that's ready to play," said Blair. "There are no clear-cut favorites for the starting positions, and the opportunities will be there for anyone who wants to take it."
Kayla Wells, the Aggies' leading scorer off the bench a year ago, is the most experienced of the bunch, at least in terms of games played. The former four-star recruit is as well-positioned as anyone to make the sophomore year jump.
"We're expecting big things out of Kayla Wells," said Blair. "We're going to move her all over the court, using her length and versatility. She picked up invaluable experience as a freshman, playing over 20 minutes in a lot of games last season."
Star transfer Aaliyah Wilson, a McDonald's All-American out of high school, is eligible as a sophomore for the 2018-19 season after sitting out 2017-18. The 12th Man will remember her career-high 20 points while at Arkansas, which came against the Aggies at Reed Arena in 2017.
"I'm expecting a huge year out of Aaliyah Wilson," said Blair. "She is similar to a Courtney Walker-type with a 3-point shot. She is an explosive guard."
Jada Walton, who had an excellent showing at the 2018 SEC Tournament, providing a spark for the Aggies in their comeback win over LSU in the quarterfinals, which likely clinched home-court advantage for the First and Second Rounds of the NCAA Tournament. Blair also expects Walton, who was the No. 30 guard in her recruiting class, to have a great season in 2018-19.
"Jada Walton is one of our most improved players this summer," said Blair. "She was ready to play last season, but she was squeezed out of playing time because we had some experienced veterans. We're expecting her to go right into that rotation and kick some rear."
Aahliyah Jackson won the team's Newcomer of the Year award in 2016-17, but was hampered by injury in 2017-18, and sat out most of the season. Now fully healthy, she looks to bring her energy back onto the court this season, where Blair sees her making an impact on the defensive end of the floor.
"We know what we want her to become on our team, and that is to come in as a defensive stopper," said Blair. "She is all energy, and is a great teammate. I see her getting into the rotation and battling for playing time."
Jasmine Williams, who helped Cy-Woods to a state title in high school, has been one of the most vocal leaders for the Aggies. Blair hopes she uses her championship mentality to help lead squad.
"Jasmine Williams is one of our more verbal kids on the team, and has a chance to be a great leader," said Blair. "She will be back at full strength by the time the season starts, and we're excited to get her back on the court."
Blair has more good news coming in that case. For the first time anyone can remember, there are eight sophomores on the 2018-19 Texas A&M women's basketball team. Seven of those eight were on the roster last season for the team that won 26 games and advanced to the 2018 NCAA Sweet 16. To top it off, the Aggies return the first National Freshman of the Year in program history, Chennedy Carter.
"Our system is changing a bit on offense," said Texas A&M head coach Gary Blair. "We will drive more to the basket and play more of a spread, moving people around due to the versatility of the players we have."
12thMan.com sat down with Coach Blair earlier this summer, and he was gracious enough to provide a run-down of how the 2018-19 Aggies are shaping up, position-by-position. Parts one and two focus on the A&M guards.
Part One | Guards
Chennedy Carter (So.)Aahliyah Jackson (So.)
Jada Walton (So.)
Shambria Washington (Jr.)
Kayla Wells (So.)
Aaliyah Wilson (So.)
Jasmine Williams (Jr.)
Blair believes that he has more depth at the point guard position than he has had in the past, and it is of course, highlighted by the return on 2018 National Freshman of the Year, Chennedy Carter.
It is the addition of Shambria Washington (Ocala, Fla./College of Central Florida), that provides the extra depth at the point guard position, in addition to Carter.
"Shambria Washington knows how to run a ballclub, that's still more of a pass-first point guard who is more a distributor," said Blair. "She can be a natural leader, and she will be able to come in and help Chennedy at the point guard position."
Carter had a marvelous freshman season, averaging 22.7 points per game, the most among the nation's freshmen, and came up clutch in the biggest moments, hitting game-winners at Southern California and in the NCAA Tournament against DePaul.
"How many players could have handled her responsibility as a freshman?" Blair asked. "The bigger the game, the better Chennedy played. She became known for how well she played in the big games."
Blair, like any coach would, is still looking for ways Carter can improve her game. After being in the system a year, and learning what to expect at this level, he knows she will continue making the adjustment.
"We might slide her over to shooting guard more often, where she plays in international competition with USA Basketball, which will create even more opportunities for her," added Blair. "This team allows us to move more toward position-less basketball."
As good as his team is at the point guard position, Gary Blair is even more excited about his wings.
"The wing position is our strength due to the depth that's ready to play," said Blair. "There are no clear-cut favorites for the starting positions, and the opportunities will be there for anyone who wants to take it."
Kayla Wells, the Aggies' leading scorer off the bench a year ago, is the most experienced of the bunch, at least in terms of games played. The former four-star recruit is as well-positioned as anyone to make the sophomore year jump.
"We're expecting big things out of Kayla Wells," said Blair. "We're going to move her all over the court, using her length and versatility. She picked up invaluable experience as a freshman, playing over 20 minutes in a lot of games last season."
Star transfer Aaliyah Wilson, a McDonald's All-American out of high school, is eligible as a sophomore for the 2018-19 season after sitting out 2017-18. The 12th Man will remember her career-high 20 points while at Arkansas, which came against the Aggies at Reed Arena in 2017.
"I'm expecting a huge year out of Aaliyah Wilson," said Blair. "She is similar to a Courtney Walker-type with a 3-point shot. She is an explosive guard."
Jada Walton, who had an excellent showing at the 2018 SEC Tournament, providing a spark for the Aggies in their comeback win over LSU in the quarterfinals, which likely clinched home-court advantage for the First and Second Rounds of the NCAA Tournament. Blair also expects Walton, who was the No. 30 guard in her recruiting class, to have a great season in 2018-19.
"Jada Walton is one of our most improved players this summer," said Blair. "She was ready to play last season, but she was squeezed out of playing time because we had some experienced veterans. We're expecting her to go right into that rotation and kick some rear."
Aahliyah Jackson won the team's Newcomer of the Year award in 2016-17, but was hampered by injury in 2017-18, and sat out most of the season. Now fully healthy, she looks to bring her energy back onto the court this season, where Blair sees her making an impact on the defensive end of the floor.
"We know what we want her to become on our team, and that is to come in as a defensive stopper," said Blair. "She is all energy, and is a great teammate. I see her getting into the rotation and battling for playing time."
Jasmine Williams, who helped Cy-Woods to a state title in high school, has been one of the most vocal leaders for the Aggies. Blair hopes she uses her championship mentality to help lead squad.
"Jasmine Williams is one of our more verbal kids on the team, and has a chance to be a great leader," said Blair. "She will be back at full strength by the time the season starts, and we're excited to get her back on the court."