In Reply to: WBB: Aarnisalo is back posted by BruinMD95 on April 12, 2026 at 17:58:13
Of all those who left, a major factor was they could see they weren't going to get a lot of time on the floor, not with UCLA's big six plus incoming frosh Sienna and Lena and then Kneepkens went into the portal. In Aarnisalo's case, it was Leger-Walker healed and ready to go at PG - her position. Cori did her best to maintain good relations with all of them, including those who left. Seems to have worked pretty well with all but Janiah Barker.
But look at this season's team, the positions that were covered especially by the players who filled those positions. Aarnisalo comes in following Leger-Walker. Sienna Betts and Muse are posts. Bilic will play major minutes and we're said to be doing really well with Hunter, another transfer guard. Also the two freshmen - Okafor (sp?) from Spain sounds like a real promising young talent.
But two pretty vital elements remain to be replaced - Jaquez, Kneepkens and Dugalic - Dugalic inside and out, some ball handling, three point shooting. Gabs the Swiss Army knife, whatever the team needs including defense and rebounding. And Kneepkens turned out to be a really well rounded player but initially filled the need for a killer outside shooter. I expect we'll be looking for at least one more big and possibly two (Gardiner is a dynamite shooter but despite her height doesn't fill the need for inside play and rebounding).
You're right on about the advantages we had this year with our height. We have some tall players already for next year but I expect we'll be looking for more height inside and also for defense and a scorer. Exciting times