Minnesota Women’s Basketball Team Faces Unexpected Setback with Mallory Heyer’s Transfer
Almost nothing has gone as planned for the recruiting class that was supposed to help revive women’s basketball at Minnesota. That’s almost nothing because Amaya Battle, Mara Braun, Mallory Heyer, and Nia Holloway were certainly part of the program’s resurgence. The team had high hopes for the season, with a strong roster and a new coach, Dawn Plitzuweit, who took over after Lindsay Whalen’s departure.
However, the team has faced several setbacks, including Nia Holloway’s knee injury, which caused her to miss an entire season, and Mara Braun’s broken foot, which kept her out for most of her sophomore and junior seasons. Despite these challenges, the team remained optimistic, with Heyer being a key player, averaging over eight rebounds and eight points per game last season.
A Surprising Decision
But in a surprising turn of events, Heyer announced on social media that she would be leaving the program and using her final season of eligibility elsewhere. This decision caught Coach Plitzuweit off guard, who stated, “Didn’t expect that. That was certainly a surprise.” The team will now have to adjust to playing without Heyer, who was a crucial part of their lineup.
Despite this setback, the team remains confident, with Coach Plitzuweit anticipating a healthy Mara Braun for the upcoming season. The Gophers will start their season on November 4 against North Dakota, ranked No. 18 in The Athletic’s preseason poll, and with 15 votes in the Associated Press poll. The team’s depth and versatility will be put to the test, but they are ready for the challenge.
A New Era for the Gophers
Coach Plitzuweit believes that this is the most ready the team has been in the past three years, with a veteran crew and a deeper understanding of the game. The team has had two scrimmages so far, and they have shown the ability to disrupt at a higher level than before, allowing them to play faster than they have in the past.
Taylor Woodson, a 6-foot junior transfer from Michigan, and Finau Tonga, a 6-2 grad transfer from St. Mary’s (Calif.), will be among the players helping to fill the gap left by Heyer. The team is excited to see how their new lineup will come together, and they are looking forward to showing off their skills at the Barn this year.
As the season approaches, the Gophers are focused on moving forward and making the most of their opportunities. As senior post Sophie Hart said, “We all love Mal. She’s a great person, she’s a great player… But we’re excited. We’re really deep this year. We have a lot of talent.” The team is ready to put their skills to the test and make a strong showing in the upcoming season.
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