From the moment a player took a charge, Weatherup Center exploded as if the Arizona State women’s basketball team had just won a title. But there was no cutting down of the nets, no falling confetti. 

It was just another practice for a season still weeks away. However, the difference between now and last October is palpable, with noticeable energy radiating throughout the arena as the Sun Devils prepare for what they hope will be a monumental rebound for a program that is coming off four straight losing seasons.  

With a revamped roster and new coach in Molly Miller, the Sun Devils are looking to turn things around after finishing 10-22 and winning just three conference games in their inaugural Big 12 season.

Miller is accustomed to a winning culture after helping lead Grand Canyon University to a 32-3 record last season and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. 

ASU’s last appearance in the NCAA Tournament came during the 2018-19 season. The Sun Devils are also seeking their first winning season since 2019-20 when they posted a 20-11 record. ASU unveils its new-look team Nov. 3 with a home game at Desert Financial Arena against Coppin State.

“I’m really excited for the season, I mean we’re less than 20 days away from tipoff,” Miller said. “As a coach I’m like, ‘I can’t wait until it gets here’, but also as a coach I’m like ‘I need more (time) left.’ So that’s where I’m at, I’m like hot and cold.” 

Along with Miller, the Sun Devils have several new faces acquired through the transfer portal who are projected to play a vital role in Arizona State’s turnaround. 

Gabby Elliot, a fifth-year guard who transferred from Penn State, is expected to be a key contributor for Arizona State.

“She averaged double-digit scoring last year,” Miller said of Elliot, calling her “a proven Power Four player, so you know she’s going to come through for you.”

Elliot appeared in 29 games for the Nittany Lions last year while starting in 27, averaging 13.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game which should bring welcome energy to the Sun Devils.

Senior guard Jordan Jones, a transfer from Denver University, should also provide a spark to the Sun Devils offense coming off a season where she started all 30 games for the Pioneers, averaging 19.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.  

Miller expects to rely on the transfer players this season, hoping their leadership qualities and veteran experience will help push ASU over the hump. Senior guard Marley Washenitz, a transfer from Pittsburgh, along with LSU transfer, Last-Tear Poa, should give the Sun Devils some needed depth. 

“We intentionally went into the portal with getting experience,” Miller said. “When you have Gabby, Marley and Last-Tear, some of those upperclassmen that had success at this level, you want to lean on them. … They’ve got some experience, they know how to win, they’re competitors, we’re wired the same – that’s why I recruited a lot of these experienced kids.”

Washenitz averaged 9.3 points and 2.7 assists per game last season for Pittsburgh and was the only Panther to start all 32 games. 

Poa brings championship experience to the roster, winning a national championship with LSU in 2023 and making 15 starts for the Tigers last season.

The players have bought into Miller’s infectious energy, believing the foundation they are setting at practice and throughout training camp will set the tone for the season.

“Camp was hard, but it was fun. I’ve never experienced anything like that,” said forward McKinna Brackens, a junior transfer from UNLV. “I think it made us lean on each other because it was hard. … We had to lean on each other, so I think that it built more team camaraderie.” 

With new faces and a revamped roster, the players are devouring what Miller has brought to the table.

“She’s just so happy all the time,” Brackens said. “She motivates you — her energy, like gets so excited when you do it right so you want her to get excited for you.”

Brackens highlighted the moment when a player took a charging foul during a recent practice, noting Miller’s reaction was reflective of her energy that she uses to ignite her team.

“Somebody took a charge earlier and we all like just threw a party for them,” Brackens said. “Like she just motivates you for the little things.”