CEDAR CITY, Utah - As the 2023-24 season approaches, the Southern Utah University women's basketball team has revamped its roster with plenty of new faces. Here is a look at the six talented players who are making their debut with the Thunderbirds this season.
Charli Kay - Freshman
Charli Kay hails from Smithton, Tasmania. Kay has represented Tasmania every year at nationals since 2017. In addition, Kay also made the U19 Australian national squad. She posted impressive numbers in the U20 Nationals in 2021, averaging 15.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Kay has also suited up for the Launceston Tornadoes as a guard, scoring 4.38 points a game for the NBL team.
Coach Mason on Charli:
"Charli is a great addition to the SUU WBB program. She has a high IQ and can shoot it from deep. She brings a fun and upbeat energy that our fans will love to see on and off the court."
Ava Uhrich - Freshman
Ava Uhrich will be joining Southern Utah from Burlingame, California. Uhrich spent her senior season at Pinewood High School, where she averaged a double-double with 17.6 points and 13.2 rebounds a game. Uhrich will look to continue her dominant play on the court this season as a member of the Thunderbirds.
Coach Mason on Ava:
"Ava is a huge piece of the puzzle for us. Ava is a tough, physical, hardworking player that I know our fans are going to love watching. She can play a multitude of positions and is a match-up nightmare for other teams."
Alexandra Eldredge - Freshman
Alexandra Eldredge comes to Cedar City from McLean, Virginia. Eldredge played for Worcester Academy in high school, where she helped lead the team to an 18-7 record in her senior season. Eldredge aims to bring energy to the court and make an impact during her freshman season with the T-Birds.
Coach Mason on Alexandra:
"Alexandra is a versatile guard that can play multiple positions off the ball. She has a great first step and uses her length well to get to the basket."
Maria Garcia - Freshman
Maria Garcia joins the Thunderbirds from Barcelona, Spain. Garcia brings her international experience to the table and boasts a versatile skill set that will help fuel Southern Utah's offense this upcoming season.
Coach Mason on Maria:
"Maria is an energy spark who plays really hard. She can shoot it and drive it, and we are looking forward to integrating her into our system."
Shiho Isono - Junior Transfer from Western Nebraska
Shiho Isono posted impressive numbers for Western Nebraska College last season, averaging 9.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.4 assists for the Cougars. Isono will be a key piece to an already stellar guard rotation for Southern Utah.
Coach Mason on Shiho:
"Shiho will be a great addition for us as she adds depth to our point guard position. She has tremendous court vision and does a great job of pushing the tempo. We are excited to see her in a T-Bird uniform."
Jaeden Brown - Junior Transfer from Utah Valley
Jaeden Brown is an important pick up for Mason and the Southern Utah program. Brown suited up for 13 games last year for Utah Valley, showcasing an impressive all-around game with 14.6 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game while shooting a remarkable 48 percent from the field.
Coach Mason on Jaeden:
"Jaeden is a tremendous post presence. She has a high basketball IQ and a maturity that has already made a big impact to our program."
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