Keeping It Heel
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Maria Gakdeng set to protect the rim once again for the UNC women's basketball team

Heading into her second season with the Tar Heels, Maria Gakdeng is expected to once again be a steady force in the paint on both ends of the floor.

By Nick Delahanty

North Carolina v South Carolina
North Carolina v South Carolina / Eakin Howard/GettyImages
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Last offseason, Courtney Banghart and the UNC women's basketball program was searching for a rim protector.

In came Boston College transfer Maria Gakdeng, a player who certainly lived up to the hype in her first season as a Tar Heel.

Gakdeng was inserted into the starting lineup right away and made an immediate (and steady) impact. Now, Gakdeng is set to begin her senior season (her second with the Tar Heels) as she hopes to continue being a steady force for the UNC women's basketball program.

2023-2024 Season in Review

Gakdeng appeared in all 33 games for the UNC women's basketball program, starting in 32 of them. She averaged 9.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, leading the team in blocks at 1.55 per-game (third-most in the ACC). She had some big-time performances in her first season in Chapel Hill, including a 14-point, 13-rebound effort against UConn in the Hall of Fame Showcase along with a 22 point performance against FGCU, a game in which she was perfect from the field and free throw line while she also hauled in 9 boards.

What to Expect in 2024-2025

The Tar Heels certainly have more depth in the front court, but expect Gakdeng to once again log heavy minutes for this year's team.

The key for Gakdeng is to avoid foul trouble. This impacted her playing time and hurt the team in the process, given the depth behind her wasn't as strong as it is this year.

Sure, the Tar Heels won't be doomed if she runs into foul trouble, but Courtney Banghart and the Tar Heels hope that she stays out of it, allowing her to remain on the court.

Bold Prediction

Maria Gakdeng is going to lead the ACC in blocks.

Now that there is additional depth in the front court, Gakdeng will have the opportunity to continue working alongside the likes of Alyssa Ustby while also benefitting from the height that Ciera Toomey and Blanca Thomas present.

Gakdeng is going to have plenty of block parties this season as she serves as the team's rim protector once again.

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