THE FLATS — The Georgia Tech women’s basketball team returned to the courts Sunday afternoon with the first official practice of the 2016-17 season.
The 2016-17 season marks the 14th season with head coach MaChelle Joseph at the helm and 43rd season of Georgia Tech women’s basketball. Joseph enters her 14th season on The Flats with a career record of 252-162. With nine returning letterwinners, including three starters, the Yellow Jackets added five newcomers to the squad this season.
Tech concluded last season with a 20-13 overall record, 8-8 in the ACC, and reached the second round of the WNIT for the second consecutive season.
Reaching Different Continents
This year’s roster boasts seven international student-athletes in addition to athletes from seven different states. Returning to the roster from international waters are Katarina Vuckovic (Serbia), Elo Edeferioka (Nigeria), Simina Avram (Romania), Chelsea Guimaraes (Portugal) and Antonio Peresson (Italy). The Yellow Jackets added two student-athletes from foreign countries this season in Anne Francoise Diouf (Senegal) and Francesca Pan (Italy).
In keeping with tradition, Tech had two student-athletes compete for their home countries over the summer. Both Chelsea Guimaraes and Francesca Pan represented Tech in the U20 European Championships competing for Portugal and Italy, respectively.
2016-17 Schedule Highlights
Earlier this summer, Tech released its competitive 2016-17 schedule which features 16 home games and contests against 17 postseason participants from 2015-16. Highlighting the non-conference schedule this season are home contests against Georgia (Nov. 20) and Michigan in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Dec. 1. Tech will also head to the Bahamas for the Junkanoo Jam over Thanksgiving where it will face Dayton in the opening game and either Creighton or Missouri in game two.
The ACC schedule features home-and-home matchups with Notre Dame and Clemson. Additionally, the Yellow Jackets will welcome Duke, Syracuse, Florida State, Virginia Tech, NC State and Pittsburgh to McCamish Pavilion this season.
Returning Jackets
Guided by 14th year head coach MaChelle Joseph, the Yellow Jackets will return a solid core from last season. This season’s lone senior, Katarina Vuckovic, returns as the leading scorer and rebounder from last season having averaged 8.0 points per game and 5.0 rebounds per game. Antonio Peresson will accompany Vuckovic from a starting role last season. Peresson appeared in 32 games and averaged 7.2 ppg and hit 34.6 percent from three-point range.
Zaire O’Neil returns after seeing action in 24 games last season, while Chelsea Guimaraes provides depth to the roster after seeing action in 30 games last season. Imani Tilford is back to run Tech’s offense at the point after starting 20 contests last season.
Newcomers
Georgia Tech welcomes four freshmen and a transfer to this year’s roster — guard Zutorya Cook (Marietta, Ga.), forward Anne Francoise Diouf (Dakar, Senegal), guard Cha’Ron Sweeney (Toledo, Ohio), guard Chanin Scott (Charlotte, N.C.) and guard Francesca Pan (Bassno del Grappa, Italy). Pan was ranked the No. 3 international recruit by Prospects Nation, while Cook and Diouf were ranked No. 35 by Prospect Nation.
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