CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The 2024-25 Queens University women's basketball season kicks off on Monday, November 4, with the Royals traveling to Winston-Salem, N.C. for the season opener against Wake Forest at 5 p.m. The Royals are coming off a 7-22 season, going 1-15 in league play.
GAMEDAY GUIDE
Date: Monday, November 4, 2024
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: LJVM Coliseum (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
Watch (ACC Network Extra)
Stats (Statbroadcast)
Queens Game Notes
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"This year I can honestly say this is the deepest roster I've had here at Queens," head coach Jen Brown says. "I am extremely excited for this team. This team in particular has done a phenomenal job laying the foundation and building a culture that we can sustain for years to come. There is a different buzz and sense of Royals pride you can feel around the program, everyone is working hard to #closethegap."
Coach Brown brings in a whole new staff and 10 new players to the team this season. Kenneth Blake, Toia Giggetts, Jody Patton, and Denisha Hall all join the bench staff for Coach Brown. Blake comes to Queens after spending last season at Defiance College where he led the Yellow Jackets player development program and also served as the lead recruiter for Defiance. Giggetts, a former player for Coach Brown while she was an assistant at James Madison, spent last season as an assistant coach at Hampton University. While with the Pirates, Giggetts assisted with recruiting, scouting, team travel, and player development of both posts and guards. Patton has honed his skills in player development, team strategies, and performance training. Patton has been instrumental in preparing athletes for the rigors of professional basketball and has served as a liaison between NBA management and players. Hall joins the Royals after working in the Clinton College athletic department. Hall served as an assistant coach and an assistant to the Athletic Director at Clinton, where she assisted with day-to-day operations of the athletic department and game day management for all sports.
The Royals roster was completely redone after last season. Jordyn Weaver, Kemia Ward, Kaitlyn Adams, and Tiziana Huici are the only returners that remained on the roster for 2024-25.
Weaver is expected to contribute valuable minutes for the Royals, after leading the ASUN in rebounds per game last season. In 29 games, Weaver averaged 12.4 points and 8.4 rebounds. "I am excited to see all of Jordyn's hard work she put in the summer on display. She expects a lot from herself as do we. Jordyn is a legit full level threat now," Brown says.
Ward started in 19 games last season and averaged 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks on the season. Ward scored a career-high 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds against Florida Gulf Coast. "Kemia is our most seasoned player on the team. She gives us a much-needed physical inside presence on both sides of the ball," Brown says.
In 2023-24, Adams appeared in 25 games, averaging 8.5 minutes per game. Adams scored a season-high nine points and hauled in six rebounds against Wesleyan College on Nov. 26th, 2023. "Kaitlyn has probably made the biggest jump and improvement from last year to this year. She will find some more impactful time in the rotation this year. That's a testament to all the hard work she put in on and off the court," says Brown.
Huici appeared in 26 games, including two starts. Huici averaged 5.5 points, and 2.2 rebounds on the season, and scored a career-high 19 points against Winthrop on December 3."No one is more excited to see a fully health Tizi than me," says Brown. "She has done the work in the offseason and will help the team. Her ability to create her own shot will be a huge asset for us."
The Royals added some new Division I additions via the transfer portal this summer, adding Aylesha Wade, Ana Barreto, Jermany Mapp, and Alyssa Lewis.
Wade joins the team after spending three seasons at UNC Charlotte. Last season at UNCC, Wade played 20 games for the 49ers, tallying a career-high four steals along with 11 points and four rebounds in a win against Gardner-Webb. "Wade is a coach's dream! In a short period of time transferring from UNCC, Wade has become a mini assistant coach on the court. Wade is a true full general who would do whatever the team needs to win," says Brown.
"Ana has been a dream addition to our program on both sides of the ball, she's a legit three level threat. I am excited to see her talent on full display once the lights turn on," added Brown. Last season Barreto played in 34 games at Ball State and scored a career-high 14 points against Miami (Ohio).
Mapp a transfer from Massachusetts played in nine games and averaged 7.2 points season. Mapp also spent three seasons at Hampton from 2020-2023. "Mapp just does the right things on both sides of the ball she's a phenomenal teammate and human being with an infectious spirit," added Brown. Mapp scored a season-high 14 points against Boston College last year.
"Alyssa brings a unique gift to our team, her ability to make the deep three on and off the ball has allowed us to expand our play book, her NCAA Final Four experience on the roster with NC State has taken our team culture to another level," Brown says.
Coach Brown also added depth to the roster by bringing in several Junior college players that will bring experience to the Royals squad. Dayuna Colvin, Mikiya House, Shanelle Smith, and Tamar Kopilevech will all contribute on and off the court with their time spent at the JUCO level.
"Dayuna is a hidden gem who adds a different level of toughness on offense and defense, she definitely will make a major impact from day one," Brown says." At Butler Community College, Colvin played in 33 games last season and was named to the KJCCC All-Conference Honorable Mention team. Colvin averaged 10.4 points and set a career-high in points with a 21-point performance against Dodge City.
House played two seasons at Paris Junior College in Texas. Last season House appeared in 30 games and started 24 of them. House set her career-high of 33 points twice last season. "Mikiya is only beginning to scratch the service of her full potential. I first see her having an impact now and in the future on our program," says Brown.
"Shanelle is starting to turn the corner and feel more comfortable in our system. Shanelle is one of the most talented on the team and will grow more as she develops in our system," says Brown. At Monroe College, Smith played in 24 games and averaged 11.1 points, 2.1 assists, and 3.1 rebounds.
Kopilevech played two seasons at Eastern Wyoming College. In 2023-24 Kopilevech, appeared in 30 games and averaged 6.7 points and 4.6 rebounds. "Tamar is versatility to play inside and outside adds another dimension to our post group," says Brown.
Queens has also added two newcomers that will add depth to the guard position in Magda Freire and Kamara Mills. "Magda is probably one of my favorite kids to coach," says Brown. "She adds another level of intensity and passion on defense. Shes mature beyond her years. Kamara is one of our hardest workers, her ability to shoot the three and pull up will be an asset to our team."
After opening the season in Winston-Salem, the Royals will be at home Saturday, Nov. 9, hosting Wesleyan College at 2 p.m. in a Neon Out. The Royals then welcome Winthrop to Curry Arena Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 12 p.m. Fans can purchase season and single game tickets in advance by visiting the Queens Athletics website.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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