Tag: UNC Women’s Basketball

UNC women’s basketball lands top 10 recruit for 2024 class

Courtney Banghart and the UNC women’s basketball landed a big five-star recruit in the 2024 class.

Courtney Banghart and the North Carolina women’s basketball program received some great news on Monday afternoon in the form of a big 2024 recruit.

Five-star center Blanca Thomas ended her recruitment on Monday and picked the Tar Heels, giving Banghart a big commitment. The Charlotte Catholic star picked UNC over offers from Tennessee, South Carolina, Duke, Michigan, NC State, Stanford, Virginia Tech, and Notre Dame.

The 6-foot-5, Thomas is ranked as a five-star recruit and a top-10 prospect in the 2024 class.

 

In her junior season, Thomas averaged 16.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.2 blocks per game. She was also named The Charlotte Observer defensive player of the year.Ā 

Follow usĀ @TarHeelsWireĀ on Twitter and like our page onĀ FacebookĀ to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

UNC women’s basketball gives Courtney Banghart extension

UNC women’s basketball head coach Courtney Banghart has earned a five-year extension wth the program.

North Carolina women’s basketball head coach Courtney Banghart will be in Chapel Hill a little longer as she continues to build the Tar Heels’ program back up.

After three-straight trips to the NCAA Tournament and a Sweet 16 appearance in 2022, Banghart has earned a new contract extension via the school. The program announced a contract extension for the head coach, that will now last through the 2027-28 season. Per Inside Carolina, Banghart’s contract now shows a base salary of $350,000 for the 2023-24 season, and a $400,000 rate for the following four seasons.

The contract will also feature bonuses for NCAA Tournament appearances ($30,000), and for regular season and conference tournament championships ($50,000).

UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham released this statement on the new extension:

“When we conducted our coaching search four years ago, we were convinced that Coach Banghart was the right leader for our program — and I feel even more strongly about that now. She is passionate about teaching student-athletes how to win on and off the court, has embraced the Carolina community, and has worked tirelessly to propel our women’s basketball program to back to the nation’s top echelon. We are pleased that she’ll be our coach for years to come.”

In Banghart’s five-year coaching career at UNC she has won a total of 76 games, including 39 in the ACC and has reached the NCAA Tournament three times.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fvdcv0v20j1dne5g player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Follow usĀ @TarHeelsWireĀ on Twitter and like our page onĀ FacebookĀ to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

UNC women’s basketball lands Iowa State guard Lexi Donarski

The UNC women’s basketball program has landed a commitment from Iowa State’s Lexi Donarsk out of the transfer portal.

Courtney Banghart and the North Carolina women’s basketball program has some spots to fill for the 2023-24 roster after the departure of a few players to the transfer portal.

And on Monday, they took a step forward and filled one of those spots.

Iowa State guard Lexi Donarski is joining the Tar Heels out of the transfer portal as 247Sports’ Brandon Clay reported. Donarski is the No. 4 ranked player in the transfer portal and is a big get for Banghart and her staff.

In three years at Iowa State, Donarski averaged 13.2 points per game for the Cyclones. That included averaging 12.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists last season.

Donarsk is the second player to commit to North Carolina out of the portal, joining Boston College’s Maria Gakdeng who committed in April as well.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fvdcv0v20j1dne5g player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Follow usĀ @TarHeelsWireĀ on Twitter and like our page onĀ FacebookĀ to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Paulina Paris, Alyssa Ustby and Alexandra Zelaya named to All-ACC Academic Team

North Carolina’s Paulina Paris, Alyssa Ustby, and Alexandra Zelaya were named to All-ACC Academic Team.

The North Carolina women’s basketball program is well represented on the the All-ACC Academic team for the 2022-23 year. The conference announced last week that Paulina Paris, Alyssa Ustby, and Alexandra Zelaya received the honors.

This honor marks Ustby’s third time in a row making the All-ACC Academic team.Ā  Meanwhile, Paris and Zelaya received recognition for the first time in their career.

In addition to the three current Tar Heels on the list, former UNC wing Kennedy Todd-Williams also received recognition as she has found a new home in the transfer portal. Todd-Williams announced she is transferring to Ole Miss but did make the All-ACC Academic team for her time at North Carolina.

All three Tar Heels should have a significant impact on the upcoming season. Ustby led the team in rebounding (233). Paris had a breakout freshman year, displaying her scoring abilities throughout the season, including a 22-point performance against Clemson, eventually earning her ACC Rookie of the Week. Finally, Zelaya, who’s been with the program the last three seasons, earned her first start this season and would go on to start two more games, becoming a contributor when called on.

The North Carolina women’s basketball program continues to build its culture on and off the court, leading by example for the incoming players.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fvdcv0v20j1dne5g player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Follow usĀ @TarHeelsWireĀ on Twitter and likeĀ our page onĀ FacebookĀ to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Former UNC women’s basketball wing Destiny Adams commits to Rutgers

Former UNC women’s basketball wing Destiny Adams has committed to Rutgers on Saturday night per her Instagram.

Both the North Carolina men’s and women’s basketball programs are seeing their fair share of departures in the transfer portal. And as time goes on, those departures are finding new homes.

The latest player to commit to a program was former UNC women’s basketball standout Destiny Adams.Ā  On Saturday, Adams took to Twitter to announce that she is heading back home and has committed to Rutgers.

The wing is a Manchester, New Jersey native and played high school basketball at Manchester Township High School before committing to North Carolina.

TheĀ  6-foot-3 Adams appeared in 33 games for North Carolina last season, starting in four of those games. In those 33 games, Adams averaged 4.1 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 46.5% from the field.

After getting to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before a disappointing loss to Ohio State, the Tar Heels have now lost two key players to the transfer portal.

Courtney Banghart and her staff will have the task of filling those needs this offseason.

Follow usĀ @TarHeelsWireĀ on Twitter and like our page onĀ FacebookĀ to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Deja Kelly and Alyssa Ustby earn All-America honorable mention

North Carolina Tar Heels Deja Kelly and Alyssa Ustby earn All-America honorable mentions.

North Carolina women’s basketball players [autotag]Deja Kelly[/autotag] and [autotag]Alyssa Ustby[/autotag] have been named honorable mentions for All-America. Both Tar Heels were pivotal in UNC’s success this season and rightfully have received high praise for their play this season.

Kelly was North Carolina’s top scorer, tying her career high for points averaged in a season with 16.5 per game. This is Kelly’s second straight year receiving this honorable mention showcasing another consistent season.

On the other hand, Ustby was the team leader in rebounds, averaging 8.3 rebounds. Despite missing five games, Ustby finished with 233 total rebounds, 45 more than the next Tar Heel.

The North Carolina women’s basketball season might not have ended as they had hoped. However, they were still welcomed with applause for a hard-fought season, with a lot of credit going to Kelly and Ustby.

Both Tar Heels will be back in Chapel Hill next season, pending any last-minute changes, and should be a shoe for the award in 2023-2024.

Follow usĀ @TarHeelsWireĀ on Twitter and like our page onĀ Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Kennedy Todd-Williams announces her new team

Kennedy Todd-Williams is taking her talents to the Ole Miss Rebels after three seasons at UNC.

The transfer portal has already significantly impacted the North Carolina women’s basketball team, and now we know where one Tar Heel is heading.

It was announced last week that [autotag]Kennedy Todd-Williams[/autotag] would take her talents to the transfer portal. She revealed that she would be lacing up for the Ole Miss Rebels on Wednesday.

Losing Todd-Williams to Ole Miss was a big blow to the women’s basketball program, and they utilized her strengths well.

The junior started all 33 games she appeared in and was second highest in minutes average per game with 32. Todd-Williams also was second in point average, averaging 13.4 points per game. She also did work on the glass finishing the top three in rebounding for UNC, averaging 5.4 rebounds per game.

A massive chunk of UNC’s offense is now at Ole Miss. However, with the talent coming and culture building, the Tar Heels should be able to rebound from this loss.

Follow us @TarHeelsWireĀ on Twitter and like our page onĀ FacebookĀ to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

UNC women’s basketball program loses another player to transfer portal

UNC women’s basketball forward Kennedy Todd-Williams has entered the transfer portal.

Both the UNC men’s and women’s basketball programs are seeing departures to the transfer portal this offseason, showing the harsh reality of having to recruit your own roster at times.

While Hubert Davis has seen four departures so far, the women’s program just received its second. And it’s a surprising one.

Sophomore forward Kennedy Todd-Williams announced on Thursday that she is entering the transfer portal, a day after Destiny Adams announced she was leaving the program. The two departures are huge for Courtney Banghart’s team. Both played key roles the past few years for the Tar Heels.

Todd-Williams started all 33 games for the Tar Heels, averaging 13.4 points per game, which was second-best on the roster last season.

Banghart and the staff will have to find two replacements to come in and match the production of Adams and Todd-Williams.

Follow usĀ @TarHeelsWireĀ on Twitter and like our page onĀ FacebookĀ to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

UNC standout Destiny Adams enters the transfer portal

UNC women’s basketball forward Destiny Adams will enter the transfer portal after two seasons at North Carolina.

The transfer portal has already created shockwaves for the men’s basketball program, and Courtney Banghartt’s program is seeing the impact of the transfer portal.

Sophomore Destiny Adams entered the portal earlier this week, leaving North Carolina after just two seasons. It’s a big loss for the Tar Heels as Adams was a rising player for Banghartt’s team.

Adams came to UNC as a four-star recruit from Manchester Township High School out of New Jersey. Adams appeared in 61 games during her time at North Carolina, starting four of those games.

This season Adams saw an uptick in her minutes on the court, going from 8.3 minutes per game to 17.2, improving her shooting percentage from 42% to 45%. However, her three-point shooting struggled, converting 11 out of 42 attempts.

Adam’s best game of this season came in the third game played, where Adams finished with her career-high 23-points while tacking up eight rebounds and four steals.

The loss will be felt with Adams on the verge of becoming a starter. However, the talent coming with the culture building for the women’s program should do well, pivoting from this loss.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fvdcv0v20j1dne5g player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Follow usĀ @TarHeelsWireĀ on Twitter and like our page onĀ FacebookĀ to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Deja Kelly and Alyssa Ustby are WBCA All-America finalists

Deja Kelly and Alyssa Ustby are WBCA All-America finalists for the 2022-2023 season.

The North Carolina women’s basketball program season did not end as they hoped, but there is no denying the impact team leaders Deja Kelly and Alyssa Ustby had this season.

Both Tar Heels have been named WBCA All-America finalists for their region. The other finalists include Georgia Amoore, Sonia Citron, Dyaisha Fair, Abbey Hsu, Diamond Johnson, Elizabeth Kitley, Ta’Niya Latson, Olivia Miles, Celeste Taylor, and Hailey Van Lith.

Kelly led UNC scoring, averaging 16.5 points per game. She also displayed ball-hawking skills, averaging 1.3 steals per game. Ustby, on the other hand, was North Carolina’s leader when it came to hitting the glass leading the team with 8.3 rebounds per game. Ustby also showed her ability to score, averaging 13.2 points per game.

The announcement on if Kelly and Ustby will make the final cut for WBCA All-America is expected to be released later this month.

Follow us @TarHeelsWireĀ on Twitter and like our page onĀ FacebookĀ to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.