Bigs

[Jriv23]

None of that tells me how they will be used in OUR rotations.

I am pretty sure Sophie B and C Clardy based on their stats from last season will be in our top 8 player rotation. However, will Sophie play at the 2 or 3 or 4 maybe even 5.

IMO Kate at PG, Nyla at 3F, Akot at 4 and Toomey at 5. That leaves 2G who can help bring the ball up giving Kate a break but can also fill it up from the corner like Lanie Grant.

The obvious player for that job is Clardy or Kelly if her shot comes around.

That said Sophie Burroughs I think is one of our best shooters and has good size and needs to be on the court. I am not sure yet how CB plans to use her. Is it 2-3-4 or what.

As far as Gabby W goes does she play backup PG or 2G (she only made 1 of 12 from 3 last season at UVA. Maybe she plays 3W like Indya last season but that takes Nyla Brooks off the court and maybe Sophie Burroughs if she and Nyla share the 3 spot.

I can see Gabby being a defensive specialist but she will have to shoot better from 3 to get a lot of court time.

All of this is why I need to see them in action wearing a UNC uniform. It cannot happen soon
enough. Still not sure if Ciera T will be ready to play or if R Kelly has found her shot.

Just to put it out there Noelle Bofia impressed me a lot. She has to limit her fouls but I would make sure she got some good court time.

CC will be a the point coming in for Kate and Gabby W will be at the two backing up who ever starts at the 2. As you stated it could be CC or RK who starts at the two or SB could be at the 2 with her shooting and height. One thing is for sure, we will definitely find out on November 2, 2026. I agree about Noelle. I liked the combination of her and Akot together on the floor. Also, I can see her playing the 5 and Toomey moving at the four.

 

[Jriv23]

We must make our FT's. If one would have made half of them against Maryland in the scrimmage, we would have won the scrimmage. Also, just like the men, we have to do better on the boards. Hopefully with GW, SB, CT being back this will not be a problems anymore. Go Heels!

 

[tarboy]

I think this years team with all players playing will be better than last years team FT percentage wise. I hope I am correct.

3397 I agree with your post 100% We have lots of options for line ups and playing
combinations.

I

 

[DreDre81]

I’m pretty new to this board but you guys do know that Gabby played against WNBA teams last summer right? She had 16 points and 7 rebounds against the Lynx (one of the best teams in the whole league) and I believe 10 points against the Sparks. The Lynx coach said afterwards that Gabby will definitely be in the WNBA and said that no one on her team could guard her and she’s only 18. Her comp is definitely not Grace Towson but maybe more like Indya Nivar (but a better scorer) as I’ve heard CB mention multiple times. I believe this video is from her dad’s instagram account. She looks like she’s going to play a ton to me.

 

[tarboy]

Super impressive Highlight film.

Maybe Kate and Gabby will be a double PG backcourt.

We will know soon I think. Go Tar Heels


1

 

[3397char]

I’m pretty new to this board but you guys do know that Gabby played against WNBA teams last summer right? She had 16 points and 7 rebounds against the Lynx (one of the best teams in the whole league) and I believe 10 points against the Sparks. The Lynx coach said afterwards that Gabby will definitely be in the WNBA and said that no one on her team could guard her and she’s only 18. Her comp is definitely not Grace Towson but maybe more like Indya Nivar (but a better scorer) as I’ve heard CB mention multiple times. I believe this video is from her dad’s instagram account. She looks like she’s going to play a ton to me.

She lead both teams in rebounds that game. That is insane I love a rebounding guard.

Lynx 88-79 NIGERIA (Apr 27, 2026) Box Score - ESPN

Box score for the Minnesota Lynx vs. Nigeria WNBA game from April 27, 2026 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.

www.espn.com

I am convinced she can play. The question still remains: who's minutes would she take?

• Harpring already appears to be exactly what she was projected: 1st team All-ACC level team leader.
• Kelly is a returning 2nd Team All-ACC player, when healthy.
• Brooks was All-ACC freshman team. 20 MPG, 8.6 PPG, best returning 3pt threat. ESPNW #13 2025 recruit.
• Burrows is a 2-year starter for Cuse who averaged 30 MPG, 12 PPG & 6 RPG across those two years on a P4 NCAA tournament team.
• Clardy has 30 career starts for Stanford, averaged 30 MPG over the last 2 years, 11 PPG. 2.5 APG on a winning P4 team.

The fact that White is even in the conversation with the above is a testament to her clear athleticism and upside. She certainly passes the eye test for significant minutes.

UVA had the opportunity to play her alongside Kymorah Johnson last year as a two-headed PG. They elected to stick with Paris Clark at the 2. But she did play significant reserve role minutes: 15.5 MPG, 6 PPG, 2 APG, 3 RPG.

Indya Nivar is am apt comparison in terms of her skillset and athleticism. But I was speaking of Townsend as her role on the team: back-up PG. Indya did not start as a soph on a UNC team with less (healthy) total talent than this one. She picked up minutes when we had 3 guards injured and out for the season. She came into a more clear role as a junior, though ironically many on these boards did not think she should start.

This team is going to need 3 pt shooters to identify themselves and step up. With Harpring leading the offense, and a desire to spread out defenses, that means at least two other women on the perimeter that are legit 3 pt threats ready to catch-and-shoot. That will not be Akot, but Akot will play. That may or may not be Toomey. She shot 29.6% last season. taht is certainly not bad for a stretch 5, but not good enough to demand coverage on the perimeter. So that puts a lot of pressure for the women we play at the 2 & 3 to be legit threats. So Hull, Clardy, Brooks, Kelly, Burrows and White: who plays may largely be predicated on who can shoot 35% or better. The first 5 mentioned have done this in at least one season.

White has not. if she develops that skill, then all bets are off and the sky is the limit. It was notable in the 1st exhibition game she had the green light to shoot an open three early in the shot clock. Banghart is going to give her a chance to prove it.

Her 3pt shooting resume is one of three key reasons I see White as a more efficient basketball player at the 1. The other two are pretty great ball handling and driving ability. The third is on-ball defense. But with Kate already the clear top dog on this team, that is a back-up role for White, in my opinion. At least until we have more information.

However, with the little info we do have, I am already convinced she is the 3rd or maybe 2nd best true PG on this team. Above Clardy and Barker. Probably not above Kelly, but I think Kelly will play the 2 to get her talent and shooting ability on the court with Harpring. That is a change from my summer statements when I thought Kelly would consume most all of the back-up PG role whenever Harpring sat.