POSTS
Anna Dreimane (So.)
Ciera Johnson (So.)
Caylinne Martin (Sr.)
Gary Blair now has to bring along a new starter at the post position, after being comfortable in the middle for several years at the post position. Before Khaalia Hillsman's stellar four-year career, Karla Gilbert was a presence inside that led the Aggies to the Elite Eight. Gilbert was preceded by Kelsey Bone, who was MVP of the SEC Tournament and a Top 5 WNBA Draft Pick. Bone succeeded Danielle Adams, a Texas A&M Athletics Hall of Fame Induction, who was Most Outstanding Player in the Aggies' national title run.
Ciera Johnson looks to help fill the void at the post position, where Blair expects she will make an immediate impact for the Aggies. Johnson has not played a minute in a regulation game, after sitting out the 2017-18 due to NCAA transfer rules, but has already been appointed a captain for the 2018-19 season.
"She can face the basket, put the ball on the floor and run the floor very well, perhaps even better than any of those great post players we've had here recently," explained Blair. "She will allow us to space the floor better than we have in years past. Ciera is a consistent threat in the high post, which will open some lanes for our guards."
Johnson, a five-star recruit who played in the 2016 Jordan Brand Classic and McDonald's All-American game, is joined in the front court by Caylinne Martin, who backed up Khaalia Hillsman in 2017-18. Blair even suggested that you might see the two of them on the court at the same time at points during the season.
"Caylinne Martin got better, but behind Khaalia Hillsman, who never got in foul trouble, we couldn't get her onto the court as much," said Blair. "Her strength is facing the basket and shooting the 10-12 foot shot. What we need her to do is trust what she does well. I can play a big part in that."
In addition, the Aggies added Anna Dreimane this summer, a transfer from Colorado State who can play either the high post or the low post.
"We had a lot of film on Anna coming out of high school," said Blair. We knew her coaches well, as she is our second player from Riga, Latavia (Katrina Limbaha). "It goes back to the adage that every morning, when she gets up, she's 6-5. She runs the floor well and works extremely hard. Those are both elements to success here at A&M."