Oregon women’s basketball adds Arizona State transfer Taya Hanson
This offseason has not been kind to the Oregon Ducks women’s basketball program.
Since Oregon’s first-round NCAA Tournament loss to Belmont, five players have exited the team. However, the Ducks received some good news Tuesday afternoon.
Former Arizona State guard Taya Hanson announced on Instagram that she was transferring to Oregon next season.
“Let’s go Duck Nation,” Hanson said in her post. “I am honoured to join these incredible women, coaching staff. and the University of Oregon! Can’t wait for next season, ready to work.”
Last week, Hanson announced she was entering the transfer portal after playing 114 career games for the Sun Devils. During the 2021-22 season, she averaged 8.3 points in 26 games.
During her junior season in 2020-21, Hanson led Arizona State in scoring as she averaged 12.6 points per game. She also led the team in 3-pointers (62), steals (1.4) and free throw percentage (84.8%).
Adding a veteran like Hanson, even if just for one season, should help the Ducks a lot, considering their losses this offseason. In less than a month, guards Maddie Scherr, Sydney Parrish, Taylor Bigby and forward Kylee Watson all entered the transfer portal. Also, forward Nyara Sabally recently announced she was entering the WNBA Draft.
Hanson, along with Endyia Rogers and Te-Hina Paopao, will give Oregon a veteran presence in the backcourt, especially with all the young talent headed to Eugene next season. Oregon signed five-star players Chance Gray (Hamilton, Ohio) and Grace VanSlooten (Ottawa, Ohio) and four-star players Jennah Isai (Surprise, Arizona) and Kennedy Basham (Phoenix).
Contact Register-Guard sportswriter Antwan Staley at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @antwanstaley.
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Oregon women’s basketball adds Arizona State transfer Taya Hanson
