WBB 2K22: West Virginia Preview

Women's college basketball is coming soon. Here at Winners Only, we will be dropping some previews of our favorite teams to watch for the 2k22 season. Our theme for women's sports in 2022 is "Rise of the Woman."

West Virginia Roster

Number, Name, Position, Height, Class, Hometown, High School/Previous College or University

23 Isis Beh, Forward, 6-4, Redshirt Sophomore, Murray, Utah, Salt Lake City Community College

5 Jasmine Carson, Guard, 5-10, Senior, Memphis Tennessee, Georgia Tech

33 JeAnna Cunningham, Center, 6-4, Sophomore, Brentwood, New York, St. Francis Prep

3 KK Deans, Guard, 5-8, Junior, Greensboro, North Carolina, Connections Academy

22 Blessing Ejiofor, 6-5, Center, Senior, Ebonyi, Nigeria, Chipola Community College

21 Ari Gray, Forward, 6-0, Forward, Senior, Cleveland, Ohio, Xavier

00 Jayla Hemingway, Guard, 5-11, Junior, Collierville, Tennessee, Mississippi State

13 Messiah Hunter, Forward, 6-2, Freshman, Hopewell, Virginia, TPLS Christian Academy

12 Esmery Martinez, Forward, 6-2, Junior, Hato Mayor Del Ray, Domincan Republic, Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Tennessee)

20 Yemiyah Morris, Center, 6-6, Senior, San Bernardino, California, Mississippi State

14 Kari Niblack, Forward, 6-1, Senior, Leesburg, Florida, Wildwood High School

11 KK Quinerly, Guard, 5-8, Freshman, Norfolk, Virginia, Lake Taylor High School

2 Wynter Rogers, Guard, 5-11, Freshman, Little Rock, Arkansas, Little Rock Christian Academy

24 Savannah Samuel, Guard, 6-1, Sophomore, Woodstock, Georgia, Oregon State

15 Emma Shumate, Guard, 6-1, Freshman, Neward, Ohio, Newark High School

30 Madisen Smith, Guard, 5-5, Senior, Greenville, South Carolina, Greenville Senior High School

Head Coach Mike Carey

Opening Game: Nov. 16, vs. Saint Francis (Pa.)

Last Season's Record: 22-7

Players to Watch

Esmery Martinez

This 6-2 power forward is hands down one of the best in the country. Last season she was All-Big 12 First Team along with being named Winners Only All-National Third Team and All-Defensive First Team with averages of 13.6 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. Esmery Martinez had 15 double-doubles and grabbed 20 or more rebounds in three games last season, including a 24-rebound performance in a road win over Kansas. Martinez's shooting percentages improved all across the board. She shot .490 from the field which was better than the .463 that she shot as a freshman. At the free-throw line she made .754 of her shots, which was better than the .515 she shot during her rookie campaign.

KK Deans

An All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection, KK Deans is a pesky, tough and smart guard that made drastic improvements last season. She boosted her scoring average from 5.4 points to 13.7 during her sophomore season. She also proved to be a strong shooter from long range, with a three-point shooting clip of .415, up from .273 the year before. Deans' biggest game in 2020-21 was a 30-point assault on Texas where she shot 12-19 in a road win. On the defensive side she shined in a close two-point win over Kansas State during the Big 12 tournament. Deans snatched a season best six steals during the victory.

Blessing Ejiofor

Blessing Ejiofor brings strength to a deep frontcourt. She is a quality defender with the ability to rebound and block shots. Last season she collected 10 or more rebounds twice including a 10-rebound, three-blocked shot performance in a 20-point road route over Texas Tech. Ejiofor shot .545 from the field which was an improvement from the .400 shooting percentage that she had the year before.

Kari Niblack

Another All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection, Niblack is a reliable player who will do the dirty work on defense and pick up the slack when the team's top scorer is having an off night. She blocked a season high five shots against Baylor and had seven contests with at least three or more rejections. She scored a season high 23 points against Kansas in a home win.

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