Eight returners, 6-5 transfer highlight ETSU women's roster

East Tennessee State women's basketball coach Brenda Mock Brown has been able to achieve something rare in this day of college athletics. Eight players, who accounted for over 1,000 points and nearly 700 rebounds, are returning to play for the Lady Bucs next season. ETSU finished 18-13 and captured a share of the Southern Conference regular-season title in 2025-26. Brenda Mock Brown, who was named the league's coach of the year, credited the culture and players believing in the process for the high retention. "Our players have said you don't know what's great about ETSU until you get there," Mock Brown said. "They have an understanding of a healthy culture where they're getting development and getting better. There's a risk that the grass can look greener, but we try to provide an environment where our kids grow, learn and compete for championships." Carmen Richardson heads up the list of returning players. The 5-foot-7 sophomore led the team in steals last season and was named to the All-Southern Conference Defensive Team. "She is very wise when it comes to the portal and program," Mock Brown said. "Her mother is a long time high school coach, who has coached many Division I players. She's been a great supporter of our program, and she sees how hard we've been working." There is a feeling amongst the team of unfinished business. They feel they were good enough to win the Southern Conference tournament and it didn't happen. Now, they want to represent the SoCon in the NCAA tournament. Daniela Lopez, a 5-10 junior who transferred from Xavier, recovered from an early injury to become the team's second-leading scorer, and tied for the lead in made 3-point shots. "Danni really grew into the role we recruited her for," Mock Brown said. "I expect her to be one of the better players. She's a consistent worker who shows up and wants the team to win. That's what I'm most impressed with our returners." Lucy Hood, a 5-9 sophomore guard known for her outside shooting, has worked this spring on developing her mid-range and other parts of her game. It's not as much attacking the basket, but seeing what the defense gives her. Mock Brown sees her as one of the "breakout players" for next season. Jaidyn Harper went through the development a year ago, and ended up tied with Lopez for the team lead with 39 made 3-point shots. After being a role player in high school, the athletic Harper continues to be a bigger part of the offensive game plan. Emmah McAmis adjusted to a different role as a freshman after being a record-setting scorer at Wise Central High School. She is another one whom her coach sees making big strides. "She's a competitor. You want to say that about all of your players and you know they all want to win, but Emmah has that edge that every championship team needs," Mock Brown said. "This year was a little humbling after she was only one of two women's basketball players in Virginia to score over 3,000 points. She came here as a backup point guard to an all-conference player, but you look at how she improved throughout the year." Other returners include a pair of 5-9 athletes in SaBreya Monstano and Yanessa Boyd. Lucia France, a 6-2 freshman, is the top returning post player. She had to play big minutes and grabbed seven rebounds when Meghan Downing missed the Samford game with an injury. It's going to be a bigger frontcourt with Elsa Vadfors, a 6-5 transfer from Kentucky, leading the way. Looking for more playing time, Mock Brown expects Vadfors to be an impact player in the Southern Conference. The coach said she has good hands and strength for a 6-5 post player. Mock Brown saw the success that Samford had with freshmen. The Bucs have four freshman — 5-7 guard Alanna Tatum, 5-10 guard Carleyssia Wallace, 5-11 guard Darleska Perez and 6-3 post player Lovely Gabriel. This will be Mock Brown's tallest team in Johnson City. "Lovely is going to give us more height in our post position," Mock Brown said. "I believe Alanna Tatum will be one of the most explosive and athletic players in the SoCon next year. Perez is physical in the paint, gets the offensive rebounds and can score. Wallace gives us more size that we're excited about. We're going to be bigger and that's something we've lacked."