TicketsCINCINNATI - The preseason is underway for the University of Cincinnati women's basketball team with its first official practice of the 2020-21 season Wednesday inside Fifth Third Arena.
Head Coach Michelle Clark-Heard's third edition of Bearcats will be led by senior forward IImar'I Thomas. A WBCA Honorable Mention All-American and American Athletic Conference First Team selection a year ago, Thomas averaged 18.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 blocks with eight double-doubles and 12 20-point performances.
"Everyone knows about IImar'I Thomas and we're excited about her commitment level and how she has come in and really just led this team," Clark-Heard said. "Even during the pandemic when we were not (together), she was doing the zoom calls and she was leading from afar. Same thing in terms of leadership with Arame (Niang). She sat out last year. They are just ready to do what they can do.
"The other person who has really grown and matured is Addaya Moore," Clark-Heard said. "She has come along and worked really hard over the summer. She's really put herself in that position. She played in a lot of games last season and added a lot to our team. She is that other veteran who understands and knows what it looks like. When you lose that senior class that we lost (last year), it was a lot and we knew we had a lot of shoes to fill. We're really proud and looking forward to the leadership of IImar'I, Arama and Addaya."
Thomas marks the lone returning starter from the 2019-20 squad that earned a 22-10 overall mark, tied for second in the league at 11-5 and advanced to the finals of the AAC Women's Championship. It marked the program's second straight 20-win campaign in as many seasons under Clark-Heard.
Moore saw action in every game last season with 12 starts, averaging 3.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 21.0 minutes. She's the only returning Bearcats besides Thomas with double-digits starts last season.
UC's 2020-21 roster includes eight returning letterwinners and five newcomers.
"We've got to grow every day and make sure, as a staff, that we put our team in position to make sure that we're ready for whatever happens," Clark-Heard said. "Everyone is going to have to get better each and every day. With the uncertainty and the unknown (dealing with the pandemic this coming season), you don't know. We're going to need everyone on this roster. That's what I tell them every day before we huddle up, 'Make sure you bring the energy and effort so that you get better every day.'"
The 2020-21 women's basketball schedule will be posted when complete.
GET CONNECTED
Stay up to date with the team by following the Bearcats on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook at @GoBearcatsWBB.
Head Coach Michelle Clark-Heard's third edition of Bearcats will be led by senior forward IImar'I Thomas. A WBCA Honorable Mention All-American and American Athletic Conference First Team selection a year ago, Thomas averaged 18.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 blocks with eight double-doubles and 12 20-point performances.
"Everyone knows about IImar'I Thomas and we're excited about her commitment level and how she has come in and really just led this team," Clark-Heard said. "Even during the pandemic when we were not (together), she was doing the zoom calls and she was leading from afar. Same thing in terms of leadership with Arame (Niang). She sat out last year. They are just ready to do what they can do.
"The other person who has really grown and matured is Addaya Moore," Clark-Heard said. "She has come along and worked really hard over the summer. She's really put herself in that position. She played in a lot of games last season and added a lot to our team. She is that other veteran who understands and knows what it looks like. When you lose that senior class that we lost (last year), it was a lot and we knew we had a lot of shoes to fill. We're really proud and looking forward to the leadership of IImar'I, Arama and Addaya."
Thomas marks the lone returning starter from the 2019-20 squad that earned a 22-10 overall mark, tied for second in the league at 11-5 and advanced to the finals of the AAC Women's Championship. It marked the program's second straight 20-win campaign in as many seasons under Clark-Heard.
Moore saw action in every game last season with 12 starts, averaging 3.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 21.0 minutes. She's the only returning Bearcats besides Thomas with double-digits starts last season.
UC's 2020-21 roster includes eight returning letterwinners and five newcomers.
"We've got to grow every day and make sure, as a staff, that we put our team in position to make sure that we're ready for whatever happens," Clark-Heard said. "Everyone is going to have to get better each and every day. With the uncertainty and the unknown (dealing with the pandemic this coming season), you don't know. We're going to need everyone on this roster. That's what I tell them every day before we huddle up, 'Make sure you bring the energy and effort so that you get better every day.'"
The 2020-21 women's basketball schedule will be posted when complete.
GET CONNECTED
Stay up to date with the team by following the Bearcats on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook at @GoBearcatsWBB.