MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—Bill Sullivan has started re-stocking the women’s basketball roster for 2013-14, with four transfer players.
Forwards Sharnese Neal, Kaylia Richardson and Nyjah Porcher and guard Ashley Lutz join the Bucs for the upcoming season.
Neal (6-0, Sr.), a three-year letterwinner at NCAA Division I Bethune Cookman, brings size and experience to the post. She played in 75 games, making 20 starts for the Wildcats, averaging 3.3 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. She shot 35.7 percent from the floor and 55.5 percent from the line.
“As a mature player and person, Sharnese brings experience and leadership to our team this year,” Sullivan said. “We are impressed with her skill set, her versatility and her work ethic.”
Richardson (5-10, Jr.) played one season of basketball at Ancilla College in Indiana. As a sophomore, she led NJCAA Division II in scoring average at 24.1 points per game and was 10th in the nation in rebounding averaging 13.3 rebounds per game. She shot 55.8 percent from the floor and 67.1 percent from the line. She chipped in 1.1 blocks and 1.9 steals per game. She spent her freshman year on the volleyball team for the Chargers, where she was their leading hitter.
“Kaylia recorded some impressive stats in scoring and rebounding for her junior college team,” Sullivan said, “and now we are eager to see her continue her exceptional play at the NCAA level.”
Porcher (5-10, Jr.) played two seasons at Community College of Rhode Island, helping lead the Lady Knights to a 25-7 mark as a sophomore. She lead the team with 14.6 points and 10,7 rebounds per game, shooting 47.8 percent from the floor and 68.6 percent from the line. She was also third on the team with 3.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game.
“Nyjah played for an outstanding junior college team where she helped lead them to the national tournament,” Sullivan said. “She is a proven scorer and rebounder and is known as an exceptional defensive player as well. We expect Nyjah to be an immediate impact player for us.”
Lutz (5-8, Jr.) comes from Labette College in Kansas, where she was one of the top long-range threats. She averaged 14.9 points per game and shot 37.0 percent from three-point range.
“Ashley has the ability to spread out defenses with her long distance shooting. We love Ashley’s court sense, her unselfishness and her skillful passing.”
The Bucs, who went 15-13 last season, have seven letterwinners, including four starters back. Lutz joins a stacked backcourt, including leading scorers Colette Eule and Tyler Hardy as well as point guard and three-point shooter Jackie Perez. In the front court, the Bucs return starting center Danika Pisconeri, as well as reserves Emily Schahczinski and Alesha Jenkins and swing player Ella Ramonas. The Bucs expect to add at least three more players.