Joseph thinks this year’s squad could go 10 deep. Her opinion is based upon the team’s performances in the closed scrimmages.
She thinks Zaire O’Neil will develop into one of the top 10 players in the ACC. The junior averaged 6.6 points and 3 rebounds last season. O’Neil could be the leading scorer, one of as many as four who could score at least 10 points every game.
Francesca Pan has the potential to be one of the five best freshmen in the conference because of her ability to play multiple positions and skill to score from the 3-point line, at the rim, or mid-range. Pan is a 6-foot-1 guard from Italy, one of the eight countries on Tech’s roster.
Joseph likes the diversity of the roster. She has challenged them to confront each other and hold each other accountable. She said the players on the team like each other. “So much diversity coming together is a beautiful thing,” she said. The other countries are: Anne Francoise Diouf from Senegal, Katarina Vuckovic from Serbia, Elo Edeferioka from Nigeria, Simina Avram from Romania, Chelsea Guimaraes from Portugal, Antonia Peresson, who is also from Italy, and several players from the U.S.
Kaylan Pugh could be another difference-maker. Tech should hear on Friday if Pugh will be eligible after transferring from Ohio State to take care of a family member. If the NCAA doesn’t grant the request, Joseph said Pugh, a 5-9 guard, should be eligible by the Alabama game on Dec. 17. “If Pugh is eligible, that’s a whole other level,” Joseph said.