Unique Offseason for UNLV Women’s Basketball
Lindy La Rocque anticipated an unusual offseason due to the impact of the transfer portal. “It’s transformed everything,” she stated in an interview with the Review-Journal. “Anything can happen, and that’s what we experienced this year.”
Challenges Following a Tough Season
The Lady Rebels entered the last season as the Mountain West’s champions for both the regular season and tournament for the third year running. Key seniors, Kiara Jackson and Alyssa Brown, were integral to the program’s success. However, after experiencing a season lacking a conference tournament title or an NCAA Tournament appearance for the first time since 2021, La Rocque’s squad faced significant changes with players leaving.
Players Moving On
Following a disappointing 86-84 loss to Florida in the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament, sophomores Amarachi Kimpson, McKinna Brackens, and Macy Spencer opted to enter the transfer portal. Kimpson has since joined Miami, Brackens is headed to Arizona State, and Spencer will play for High Point.
Building a New Roster
UNLV quickly worked to replenish its roster, ultimately adding six new players to complement incoming freshmen Trystan James, Hodaya Kabada, and Alexis Swillis. Junior Sydni Summers from San Jose State was the latest addition, joining a list that includes other transfers from various colleges.
Aggressive Approach in Recruitment
Despite the difficulties posed by the transfer portal and NIL payments, La Rocque is determined to maintain her coaching philosophy. “I won’t let it affect how I coach or the commitment I have to our players,” she explained. Acknowledging the initial disappointment of losing some players, she praised her staff for being proactive in their recruitment efforts from the start.
Cultivating a Winning Culture
In her recruitment process, La Rocque also relied on her returning players, like double-digit scorers Aaliyah Alexander and Meadow Roland, to attract prospects. “We had numerous visits, and I credit our returning players for creating a winning culture,” she noted. While NIL is part of the discussion, La Rocque emphasized that attracting players to a championship team is her top priority.
Looking Ahead
Despite the influx of new talent and changes in the program, La Rocque is optimistic about the future, recalling the successful era of player Desi-Rae Young. She believes there are players capable of following in her footsteps, with the potential for greatness within her roster. “I think we have amazing players who can shine just as brightly,” she concluded.
