Training camp in full swing for ASU Men’s & Women’s Hoops

Both Arizona State Basketball programs have each of their training camps hitting their stride.

Naturally, head coach Molly Miller has set the tone of hustle and flying around on defense.

She can’t do it alone, though. Returners like McKinna Brackens have helped show the newcomers how it’s done.

“Practice can go smoother,” Brackens said. “If they have any questions, they can come to me or the other returners whereas last year we didn’t really know what was going on. She has me out there…it’s like an extended person out there of her…She asks us to do goofy things sometimes and some people think they’re too cool so just being able to go first and do the goofy thing..like she did it, it’s not embarrassing anymore.”

“They finish my sentences,” Miller said. “I’m so happy because I have echoes behind me. Last year, it was just me and my coaching staff who had to dictate everything that was happening…They can almost cover up some of the mistakes for us by talking it through with their teammates.”

With another impressive transfer class under Miller’s belt, it’s clear the top prospects are seeing the benefits of playing ball in Tempe.

“We’re becoming a school of choice,” Miller said.

“It’s like a family,” Brackens said. “The way that she motivates you to want to do hard things is unlike any other. She’s gonna ask for the most out of you every day…She gets so passionate about it that it makes you want to play hard. I feel like that goes into our culture. She expects greatness and she’s gonna pull that out of you. I want her to pull that out of me. I wouldn’t want to settle for less.”

.@SunDevilWBB getting work in at @DesertFinancial Arena🏀@MollyMiller33 & staff keeping them sharp on both sides of the ball:@Sports360AZ pic.twitter.com/HEHumma99F

— Eliav Gabay (@eliavgabay) October 1, 2026

Brackens will also bring over her experience winning Gold with Team USA at the 2026 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup in Wuhan, China.

“It was actually so surreal,” Brackens said. “When I got the jersey and I saw my name on the back, I was like, ‘Wow. There’s a USA jersey, and this is my name’…trying to stay humble through it and know that I am representing something bigger than myself…When it’s my name, it’s my family, ASU, the entire university, and USA as a whole country.”

“The first thing I said when [Brackens] came back was, ‘So, Brackens, you’re in shape. 3×3 will get you in shape,” Miller said. “She was an asset to that team, both on and off the court. If you followed her, she’s doing her vlogs, she’s really passionate about representing Team USA…It’s really cool, not only for her, but for our program.”

ASU Women’s Hoops’ first matchup will be at Desert Financial Arena against Jackson State on November 2 at 5 PM.

Across the hall at Weatherup Center, head coach Randy Bennett has his guys hanging their hats on the defensive end as well.

Associate head coach Rick Croy believes the Devils have the size needed to be great on defense and chemistry is developing quicker than expected.

What has stood out to Croy is that the student-athletes have been leading each other in practice.

There’s also been an emphasis in off ball movement and getting out in transition.

Sophomore guard-forward Dillan Shaw sees the vision: ”By the time Big 12 hits, we should be really good.”

Perhaps the biggest point that stood out to me is Shaw saying the guys wrote team goals out themselves and put them up for the squad to see daily.

Australian sophomore point guard Joel Foxwell discussed Bennett’s success with international student-athletes:

“The way internationals plays – he loves. We’re smart, able to control the floor…internationals play similar systems…it’s great to have the confidence of your head coach…makes me want to do more…no pressure, play my own game, do the things I know I’m good at.”

ASU Men’s Hoops’ first game will be on October 25 on the road against the New Mexico Lobos (time TBA).

“The way internationals plays he loves. We’re smart, able to control the floor…internationals play similar systems…it’s great to have the confidence of your head coach… makes me want to do more… no pressure, play my own game, do the things I know I’m good at.”

Australian… pic.twitter.com/auQTYGFfit

— Eliav Gabay (@eliavgabay) September 29, 2026