Head coach Robin Pingeton opened the 2023 Mizzou women’s basketball media day by saying she was impressed by her team's commitment to the program. Pingeton feels that this is one of the hardest working groups she has ever seen in her career and that they have some of the best chemistry on and off the court. This is a group with five true freshman and three graduate student transfers, with just six players returning from a season ago.
One of the main goals of the offseason was to add depth and size to the rotation. The Tigers lost four players to the NCAA transfer portal and all four started in games for the Tigers last season. For immediate help, Pingeton turned to graduate transfer Angelique Ngalakulondi from UMass. Ngalakulondi averaged 7.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game last season at UMass, but Pingeton feels that she can add more this season.
“She's got a chance to be really special," Pingeton said. "She’s really efficient around the rim. She's also a tremendous out of area rebounder. And she brings size and athleticism. I think she's a piece that we haven't had in the past. And I think that's a huge addition and something that we really targeted in the offseason, knowing that that's a position of need.”
Ngalakulondi will join now graduate student Hayley Frank down low this season for the Tigers. Heading into this season Frank received Preseason All-SEC First Team honors. Just a season ago Frank averaged 15.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game to earn herself All-SEC Second Team honors.
Frank has grown entering this season as well, as a leader and a player for the Tigers according to Pingeton.
“I think she's grown to be more comfortable in being a vocal leader for us," Pingeton said. "She's always had an incredible work ethic on the court. That's never been up for discussion. But I think she's getting a little bit more comfortable with the ball in her hands to face it up, and not just relying on catching and shoot threes, but being able to do a little bit more off the bounce as well.”
After losing three of its guards to the transfer portal in the offseason, Mizzou will have to depend heavily on senior Mama Dembele and sophomore Averi Kroenke.
“I think Mama will have a lot of minutes," Pingeton said. "But I think Averi has really made great strides to be able to be a tag team approach. Averi has had a tremendous offseason, and we've played her both at the off guard as well as the point guard, making sure she's getting quality reps at both. I think what we've seen out of Averi so far has been really, really good. I think that will just allow Mama to pick up more on the full court, which I think is one of her strengths.”
Incoming freshman Grace Slaughter is another guard expected to make a huge impact this season. Slaughter was the number one ranked player in the state of Missouri in the 2023 high school class, and the 53 player overall.
“Grace Slaughter, in particular, has a really high ceiling," Pingeton said. "She's got a really strong skill set, can shoot the three stretch the core, but really good off the bounce. Defensively, she's further along than I thought she would be so that's really encouraging. A point of emphasis for her is continuing to focus on rebounding out of the area. But she's a young lady that I anticipate will see a lot of minutes for us and be a big part of that rotation."
The Tigers open the season Nov. 6 at 11:30 a.m. against Belmont.
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