As the dust settled on the last season’s campaign, the Kansas women’s basketball team found itself facing a significant challenge: replacing key talent lost to graduation. With standout players like Taiyanna Jackson making the leap to the WNBA and the expiration of Zakiyah Franklin and Holly Kersgeiter’s eligibility, Head Coach Brandon Schneider had big shoes to fill.
However, Coach Schneider wasted no time in addressing the void left by departing stars. Utilizing the transfer portal to its fullest potential, he orchestrated the acquisition of two dynamic guards who promise to inject new energy and skill into the Jayhawks’ lineup.
One of the marquee additions is graduate transfer Jordan Webster, who brings an impressive resume from her time at UC-Riverside. Standing at 5-foot-10, Webster’s stature is matched only by her on-court prowess. A scoring machine, she averaged an impressive 17.1 points per game in her senior season, providing a much-needed offensive boost for Kansas.
#RockChalk ♥️ @KUWBball pic.twitter.com/6xOtQcTjcR
— jordan webster (@jtw_3232) May 14, 2024
But Webster isn’t just a one-dimensional player. Known for her defensive tenacity, she’s a standout in stealing the ball, averaging 2.5 steals per game last season. Her ability to disrupt opponents’ offensive flow will undoubtedly be a valuable asset for the Jayhawks on the defensive end of the court.
Webster’s arrival is just one piece of the puzzle in Coach Schneider’s master plan to revamp the team’s guard lineup. Joining her in the backcourt are incoming sophomore S’Mya Nichols and transfer Elle Evans from North Dakota State University. Together, this trio forms a formidable guard rotation that promises to bring versatility, scoring prowess, and defensive solidity to the Jayhawks’ game plan.
With these exciting new additions, Kansas fans have every reason to be optimistic about the upcoming season. While saying goodbye to beloved players is never easy, the arrival of Webster, Nichols, and Evans signals a new era of opportunity and potential for the Jayhawks women’s basketball program. As Coach Schneider continues to mold his roster into a force to be reckoned with, the future looks bright for Kansas basketball.