Adia Barnes on Cats Getting Younger, Moving to the Big 12

It seems like college teams are always trying to get older. With the transfer portal, it’s easy to add a grad transfer here and there to add experience and proven talent. 

But that also comes with a risk. 

By adding that experience, sometimes young, elite talent can get caught in the pipeline and look elsewhere. It’s a tough balance to strike. 

That’s why Arizona women’s basketball coach Adia Barnes is focusing on going younger with her program. 

She’s recruited at a national level and has consistently brought in top-tier players. 

This year, she’s betting on that youth. 

Helena Pueyo and Esmery Martinez are two of her most experienced players. Aside from those two, most of the rotation will consist of freshman and sophomores. 

Jada Williams, Montaya Dew (injured), Breya Cunningham and Skylar Jones headline a talented freshman class. Kailyn Gilbert and Maya Nnaji look to have expanded roles as sophomores. Pair that with the leadership of Martinez, Pueyo and junior transfer Isis Beh, and Barnes is betting this group can thrive in the short and long-term.

In addition to the roster construction, Barnes spoke with Sport360AZ about Pueyo’s success in the 3-on-3 circuit and the move to the Big 12.