On the same day outgoing Arizona fifth-year transfer Jade Loville was drafted by the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, two new transfers ahead of the 2023-24 campaign made it known they’re intend to be in Tucson next season to play for Arizona coach Adia Barnes.
Salimatou Kourouma, a 5-11 redshirt junior forward from Kati, Mali, who averaged 17.6 points in 42 games the last two seasons at Little Rock, was the Ohio Valley Conference player of the year after earning second-team All-Sun-Belt honors two seasons ago.
She announced that she is “committed” to the UA via an Instagram post Monday.
Kourouma said in the post that “it’s been a good ride at University of Arkansas Little Rock,” thanked her coaches and teammates, and added that she’s “happy to announce that I will continue my journey at the University of Arizona.”
West Virginia guard Sarah Bates, left, and forward Isis Beh, right, battle for the ball against Arizona forward Cate Reese, center, as the Mountaineers take on the Wildcats in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on March 17 in College Park, Maryland. With five-year-starter Reese’s time in the paint at the UA complete, Beh, who announced her intent to transfer to Arizona ahead of the 2023-24 season, is one of multiple transfers who could be expected to eat up minutes for the Wildcats next year.
Isis Beh, a 6-3 redshirt sophomore forward last season at West Virginia, scored eight points in 22 minutes for the Mountaineers against Arizona in the Wildcats’ victory in the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament last month in College Park, Maryland.
Beh posted images of herself donned in UA gear on Instagram Monday, adding in the text of the post (sic) “when u know u know,” with emojis representing a bear and a down arrow emoji right alongside it.
Beh played 37 games for UNLV in 2019-20 before appearing 27 times for the Mountaineers again in a reserve role in 2022-23.
She averaged 3.1 points in 10 minutes of action for WVU, with a season high of 13 points in 28 minutes against Kansas on Feb. 15.
Arizona transfer guard Jade Loville was selected Monday night with the 33rd overall pick in the WNBA draft by the Seattle Storm.
After her Monday social media post, former Wildcat Madison Conner's transfer destination appears clear: TCU.
The Arizona women's basketball team added to its backcourt Friday, getting a commitment from Middle Tennessee State guard Courtney Blakely; meanwhile, former UA guard Paris Clark is transferring to Virginia.
Arizona women's basketball: Four from coach Adia Barnes' UA team in the transfer portal — junior Lauren Ware, sophomore Madison Conner and freshmen Paris Clark and Lemyah Hylton.
