Earlier this week, I covered the frontcourt depth and predicted where they might stack up in terms of minutes and staff. I want to continue that today, but shift our focus to the backcourt.
So without further ado, let’s’ jump in!
#0 Esther Little
Senior – Forward/Wing / 6’2”
I really struggled with my decision regarding my prediction on Esther’s role on this year’s team. For a group that returns just 34% of minutes played, Little offers us a player that has a wealth of experience within Fortier’s system. Additionally, she presents an stout option for the perimeter defense, something that could be important in securing wins as the offensive production will likely not approach the same levels as the ‘23-24 squad.
However, I just can’t shake some of her performances on the offensive side of the ball from last year. There were times present in most games where I feel she would get the ball, have an option for an attacking pass or drive to the hoop or open shot, and then proceed to do the exact opposite. I only recall a couple opportunities last season when this led to some actual important error like a turnover or something, but when she was on the court, it felt like the team was competing with just four on the floor.
It’s entirely possible that this was the exact role that Coach Fortier wanted out of Esther; I mean, with sharpshooters galore, a stud down low, and team that could be somewhat soft on defense at times, Esther didn’t need to be an important element on offense. However, that leaves questions about her ability to incorporate herself more into the offensive scheme to do more than average 58 shots, 43 assists, and 94 turnovers in nearly 1100 minutes spread over the course of her first three years at Gonzaga.
That being said, even if Esther doesn’t demonstrate much progression on the offensive side of the ball, her experience and defensive intensity will get her minutes, which is why I think that even if she doesn’t start, she will likely be a highly used player off the bench. But if she does pick it up on offense and plays like she did in her final year at Ipswich Basketball Academy when she averaged 15.5 points, 19.5 rebounds, and 6.8 assists while claiming the ‘20-12 WNBL1 Playoff Final MVP, watch out!
Prediction: 20 minutes,
#33 Lauren Whitaker
Freshman (RS) – Forward / 6’3”
I initially covered Lauren in this article after she had committed to Gonzaga. After redshirting in her first year with the team, Lauren still managed to get some minutes on the floor, albeit with the New Zealand Tall Ferns, the national team. In February she was called up for the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament and then in August, she represented her nation again in the FIBA World Cup Pre-Qualifying Tournament. While her team unfortunately failed to make it out of their group stage in either competition, Whitaker earned decent minutes in both windows.
In the Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament, she averaged 19 minutes, 5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 0.3 blocks. In the World Cup Pre-Qualifying Tournament, she averaged 15.1 minutes, 9.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.3 steals, and 0 blocks, however these numbers are a bit stilted because she only played 5 and 8 minutes in the team’s first two games before playing 31 minutes in the final matchup where she posted 27 points on 9-13 shooting including 2 threes, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal. Here are the highlights from that game:
It’s tough to predict Lauren’s role on this current team. She represents one of the only big bodied players capable of truly spelling someone like Maud or Yvonne, but it remains to be seen how Coach Fortier will be divvying up the allotted minutes across the squad. It’s always possible that someone like Esther Little or McKynnlie Dalan step into such a possible role if the team wants to play small given the wealth of available guard options. However, I think that Lauren’s international pedigree and athletic attributes will help to earn her minutes on this team
Prediction: 12 minutes, 5 points, 6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.6 steal, 0.2 block
#31 Ella Hopkins
Freshman (RS) – Forward / 6’3”
After joining as a preferred walk-on last year, Ella redshirted her first season and continues the theme of this year’s team being: who are you and what are you bringing to the court. I’m not entirely sure Ella will feature much this campaign and I see her fitting more into a Destiny Burton-esque role, but that’s just a gut feeling.
I can’t find any information about her high school statistics outside of the Gonzaga player profile which states that in her senior year campaign she averaged 14 points and 7 rebounds while also leading her team into the Minnesota Class AA State Tournament. Additionally, I can’t find much in the way of video highlights of Hopkins’ high school campaign outside of her junior season, but I can’t embed them here.
Prediction: 5 minutes, 2 points, 2 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.1 block
