Transfer Trayanna Crisp brings experience to the UNC women's basketball program
Sometimes, life presents perfect opportunities at the perfect time. For Trayanna Crisp, two losing seasons at hometown Arizona State prompted her to enter the transfer portal looking for a new challenge. The North Carolina women's basketball program was looking for proven talent to cover for the departure of Deja Kelly, who took her 1,858 career points to Eugene, Oregon.
Head coach Courtney Banghart couldn't have asked for a better bridge guard than Crisp. The junior from Goodyear, Arizona, has played a ton of high-level basketball (59 games at ASU) and knows the grind of a full college season. She'll just need to learn a new system.
Let's take a look at how she'll fit in with the UNC women's basketball program.
2023-2024 Season In Review
Trayanna Crisp started 28 of 31 games for the Sun Devils last season, averaging 34.3 minutes per game. She scored 12.1 points per game on 40.6% shooting from the field (33.3% from three, 76.5% from the line). All of her scoring metrics are significantly improved from her freshman season, with 10% improvements from the field and the three-point line and a 4% uptick from the charity stripe. Her rebounding, assist, and steal statistics all improved, but that could coincide with her nearly 13 minutes of increased game time from her freshman season.
Crisp doesn't shoot three-pointers in volume. Look for her to penetrate and get her points at the rim and foul line when she's inevitably hacked. Her powerful frame allows her to take contact and still finish at the rim. Courtney Banghart seems to have a type with these cannonball guards. Perhaps we'll see the Tar Heels focus their attacks at the rim more so than the perimeter?
Bold Prediction
The UNC women's basketball program will have a new-look backcourt this season, and minutes are up for grabs. Trayanna Crisp has an experience edge over Reniya Kelly, but Kelly has more time in UNC's system. Kayla McPherson is working her way back from injury, so you'd think Crisp has an edge for minutes there.
Look for Crisp to start the season on the bench, but have her minutes increase by at least 50% by the time ACC play starts. If Reniya Kelly falters, Crisp will definitely be in the frame to gobble up her minutes and perhaps her starting spot.