KU women’s basketball won the WNIT, and its top three stars are coming back

Shreyas Laddha
·1 min read
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After winning the WNIT championship, the Kansas women’s basketball team looks to return much of its core for next season.

Senior Holly Kersgieter announced on Twitter Saturday she will return for a fifth season instead of pursing professional opportunities. Kersgieter averaged 13.8 points and six rebounds last season, earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.

Kersgieter’s announcement comes after KU guard Zakiayah Franklin and center Taiyanna Jackson announced they will return to the Jayhawks, both sharing the news earlier this week.

KU coach Brandon Schnieder expected all three players to return, though it was not a given.

“I’m not making statements for them,” Schneider said after winning the WNIT championship. “I’m just hopeful and basing that on conversions that we’ve had previously.”

The trio were pivotal for KU’s success this past season and helped lead the Jayhawks to their first ever WNIT championship. Franklin and Jackson made the WNIT all-tournament team. Jackson was also named the tournament’s most valuable player.

Jackson averaged 15.2 points and 12.7 rebounds, earning her All-Big 12 first team honors.

Franklin also made All-Big 12 first team, averaging 15.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists.

Kansas went 25-11 (9-9 Big 12) last season, including the WNIT games. A year prior, KU went 21-10, going 11-7 in league play and making the second round of the NCAA Tournament.