Wagner Seahawks Women’s Basketball Season Preview: 2024-25
Wagner’s women's basketball program, led by head coach Terrell Coburn, enters the 2024-25 season looking to rise from a challenging finish last year. Coburn, the first African American head coach in the program's history, has been here since 2021-22 after serving as an assistant. Despite the struggles in conference play last year(4-12), the Seahawks remained competitive throughout, tied with two other teams and just one game behind Saint Francis. This season offers hope, as Wagner has taken a bold approach to roster construction, leaning heavily on international talent and transfers, which could help them climb in the NEC standings.
Projected Rotation
C - Hawa Balde-Camara (Jr., Queens Transfer) - Balde-Camara will likely be one of the primary interior defenders and rebounders for Wagner. While her offensive production has been limited, her shot-blocking and defensive presence in the paint will be key for a team looking to shore up its defense.
F - Raneem ElBarky (Grad., TAMU-International Transfer) - ElBarky joins Wagner as a graduate transfer. Our provided statistics below are from the 2022-23 season. Her offensive potential (as indicated by her PPG) makes her an intriguing addition. She could provide much-needed scoring punch in the frontcourt if she adapts well to NEC competition.
F - Malia Mpondo (Jr.) - Mpondo offers versatility and athleticism in the forward position. While not a primary scorer, she adds depth and energy on both ends of the court.
G - Taleah Washington (Grad.) - Washington is the focal point of the Seahawks’ offense. Her ability to handle the ball, distribute, and score will be central to any success Wagner has this season. Look for her to play heavy minutes as both a leader and playmaker.
G - KC Carter (Grad., Mount St. Mary’s Transfer) - Carter, a graduate transfer, adds experience to Wagner's backcourt. Though her previous contributions were limited in terms of minutes, she could see an increased role as a rotational guard, especially with her experience in NEC play. On Wagner’s website, she is listed as transferring from Cornell. It’s unclear if she was at Cornell for a short time.
G - Irene Fernandez de Caleya (Jr., Casper College Transfer) - Fernandez de Caleya is a solid all-around guard, and her ability to contribute in multiple facets (scoring, rebounding, and assisting) will make her an important part of the rotation. Expect her to be a valuable piece off the bench, capable of stepping into the starting lineup when needed.
G - Angelie Ricard (Jr.) - Ricard is a reliable guard who provided 20 minutes per game last season. Her experience and ability to stretch the floor make her a vital part of Wagner's second unit.
G - Klea Kaci (R-So., Purdue Fort Wayne Transfer) - Kaci provides depth at the guard position and could see an increased role depending on her ability to fit into Wagner’s system. Her previous experience at Purdue Fort Wayne makes her a solid option.
Team Preview
Wagner’s roster composition is unique within the league, with 11 international players and a heavy reliance on transfers. This creates both excitement and uncertainty as the team seeks to rebound from last season’s struggles. If the new additions can find their footing in the NEC, and Taleah Washington continues to lead effectively, the Seahawks could surprise some teams. However, cohesion and chemistry will be essential in determining whether they rise in the standings or remain in the lower tier of the conference.
The strategy for Wagner seems to have been to retain Taleah Washington and build a team around her. To do this, they looked heavily to underutilized players at other schools. Because many of these players had such limited minutes, it’s difficult to ascertain what this Wagner squad will look like. Ultimately, this season will reflect Coburn’s chops as a recruiter and talent evaluator. It feels much like a high risk-high reward approach. If the Seahawks were able to unearth some hidden gems this offseason, Wagner will take a leap up the standings for NEC play. It just depends on what they were able to surround their returning players with.
It’s important to remember that while Wagner was the sole NEC team to not make the conference tournament last season, this team was not a doormat and the Seahawks had to get to tiebreakers to miss the dance last year. They’ll be competitive again on Grymes Hill this season.
