Photo by: Ruben Dominguez/Texas A&M Athletics
Women's Basketball Season Outlook: Forwards
Aug 16, 2018 | Women's Basketball
Forwards
N'dea Jones (So.)Cheah Rael-Whitsitt (Jr.)
Aja Ellison (Sr.)
The Aggies have more options at the forward position in 2018-19, as you can expect three different players to see playing time at power forward.
"We now have options where we can go small and put a faster team, which would allow us to press more," Blair said.
When the Aggies are not going small, Blair expects N'dea Jones, a four-star recruit a year ago, to make a huge contribution, especially on the defensive end of the floor.
"N'dea Jones is going to be hard to beat at the power forward position," said Blair. "She really wants it, she's a great student, and a great kid, and everything that entails being a great college basketball player. She will give us more blocks, with her long, 6-2 frame, and has great timing on defense. She will intimidate players down low."
The Aggies add in Cheah Rael-Whitsitt from the junior college ranks, where she ranked second in the NJCAA with 14.2 rebounds per game at Miami Dade College last season. She posted 24 double-doubles and collected 441 rebounds in 2017-18, which while attained at a different level, are more than the current Texas A&M single-season marks.
"Cheah Rael-Whitsitt is going to be our Energizer Bunny, and get the tough rebounds," Blair said. "She goes hard all time and that's why we wanted her. She is able to face the basket and shoot from the outside."
Aja Ellison comes into the program after graduating at Maryland, where she has spent the last four seasons. The No. 21 forward out of high school, and the daughter of an athletic family, former NBA No. 1 overall pick Pervis Ellison and Maryland standout track athlete Timi Ellison. Blair expects her work ethic, leadership, and pedigree to contribute to her having an outstanding senior year.
"Aja Ellison was ranked high coming out of high school, but she has been hurt a lot in her career," said Blair. "She's got one year to do what she wanted to do the last four. She wants to compete against the top competition here and in the SEC, and I admire that. This is a kid that has quickly become one of the most popular players on the team, and has had a great work ethic in the gym and the weight room so far."
Players Mentioned
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