Just like every other team in the world of college basketball, Arizona State had some players leave with the recent passing of the one-time transfer rule. Losing the likes of key contributors Sydnei Caldwell (now at Penn) and Eboni Walker (now at Syracuse) in the portal means there are gaps to fill and plenty of transfers to fill them with.
On April 9, Jade Loville announced her commitment to Arizona State with the words “I’m coming home.” Loville, who was born in Arizona but played her high school hoops in Washington, will have two years to help leave her mark on this Sun Devils program.
AZ, I’M COMING HOME. Thank you @SunDevilWBB for believing in me. Blessed to be a Sundevil. LET’S TURN UP TEMPE. pic.twitter.com/y6Q7MeUYMn
— J Love (@JadeLoville) April 9, 2021
At Boise State, Loville was an All-Mountain West Team selection in 2020-21 and she was second in the conference in scoring (17.1 points per game). Her offensive output will undoubtably assist an ASU squad who finished in the bottom two in offensive output last season (54 points per game).
“We actually recruited Jade out of high school and clearly she has proven at Boise State she is a big-time scorer who can play at the highest level,” head coach Charli Turner Thorne said in the press release of Loville’s announcement.
But it is more than just her offense that the Sun Devils will look to her to provide. Having played in all 33 games her sophomore year and started all 23 as a junior, Loville brings more experience and leadership to a team that had over half of possible starts come from freshmen.
Loville’s defense is also something that might slip under the radar. According to Synergy Sports, opponents shot 29.4 percent from the field when guarded by Loville last season. For a team and coach that prides itself on the defensive side of the floor, Loville should fit right in.
The one glaring weakness in her game is her 3-point shooting. Loville has a smooth lefty jumper, gets good lift and has a high release point to shoot over defenders at 5-foot-10. She is confident in the midrange but when she gets behind the arc she struggles. Loville shot 5-38 (13.2 percent) during last season.
That stroke is too smooth from @JadeLoville #BleedBlue pic.twitter.com/TZd0ry5LS9
— Boise State WBB (@BroncoSportsWBB) March 9, 2021
All in all, Sun Devil fans should be excited for when Loville hits the DFA hardwood in the winter. She is a great addition for Charli Turner Thorne’s squad and should be able to make an impact right away.