Covering Carolina sports beyond just men's basketball and football — with the most complete women's basketball coverage
After two seasons as a Chicago Bulls reserve and an up-and-down first four seasons, an improved Coby White appears ready for a resurgent season as their starting point guard. Day’Ron Sharpe showed that he’ll make an impact off the bench for the Brooklyn Nets and it appears possible that Tony Bradley and Theo Pinson will be G League teammates.
North Carolina enters the season full of expectations of a potential Final Four run. The players have a sign next to the dressing room entrance that reads, “final four team loading …” But, judging from the AP women’s basketball Top 25 preseason poll released Tuesday, the Tar Heels still have some convincing to do with many voters.
CHAPEL HILL — Lexi Donarski, one of North Carolina’s six former five-star recruits, brings many qualities to Chapel Hill. A true two-way player, tenacious on defense with a diverse offensive skill set and a drive to get better, she also gives UNC “commas.”
Carolina will enter Coach Hubert Davis’ third season as head coach with a more realistic ranking but high expectations that the Tar Heels can rebound from last season’s frustrations with their massively restructured roster. UNC is No. 19 in the AP preseason Top 25 poll released on Monday, one of three ACC teams to make the list, along with No. 2 Duke and No. 13 Miami.
CHAPEL HILL — Change was apparent all around Friday night at Live Action, as was the swagger of freshman point guard Elliot Cadeau. The annual preseason spotlight on UNC’s men’s and women’s basketball teams at the Smith Center was all new to seven of Coach Hubert Davis’ players (five transfers and two freshmen) and eight of Coach Courtney Banghart’s players (three transfers and five freshmen).
CHAPEL HILL — What’s best for a player in the short term may not be best for the current team, but the latter has always been the priority in Coach Courtney Banghart’s women’s basketball program. After a tough, but correct decision, five-star stretch four Ciera Toomey and wing Laila Hull will redshirt this season.
CHAPEL HILL — The stars are aligned in more ways than one as Coach Courtney Banghart enters her fifth season as Carolina’s women’s basketball coach. A deep, talented roster with six players who were five-star recruits and five others who were four-star recruits has all the elements to contend for a national championship this year. With more talent on the way, her program has set a foundation to sustain long-term success.
Coach Courtney Banghart covered many topics Thursday at UNC’s women’s basketball media day. Also watch interviews with transfers Lexi Donarski and Indya Nivar and part of Thursday’s practice.
The Chicago Bulls are noticing a more seasoned, mature Coby White off the court, and he showed that it’s translating to the court in his preseason debut. White, Cole Anthony and Harrison Barnes got their exhibition seasons off to a good start, as every NBA team has played at least one preseason game.
Two highly touted members of Carolina’s five-player freshman class will redshirt this season. Five-star stretch forward Ciera Toomey (top photo), the No. 4 player in the Class of 2023, and wing Laila Hull (bottom photo), last season’s Miss Basketball and Gatorade Player of the Year in Indiana, won’t play while they continue to rehabilitate high school injuries.
tarheeltribune.com 