Ruby Whitehorn preparing for fresh start with Sun Devils

TEMPE- In less than a month, guard Ruby Whitehorn will make her debut for the Arizona State women's basketball program.

Back in February, the Sun Devils acquired a top-tier player via the transfer portal, and Whitehorn had the chance to observe Molly Miller's coaching style during the games.

"Coming in early definitely helped me learn Coach Molly's process and her system a lot more, and get to take time to build a relationship with her better and with the returning teammates as well," Whitehorn told Echo from the Buttes Thursday.

"But just being able to step into more of a leadership role and actually being out on the court, being able to set an example, being able to be a shoulder to lean on for my teammates is the biggest thing that I'm looking forward to."

When asked about her impressions of Whitehorn, Miller immediately highlighted Whitehorn’s rebounding ability as a standout quality.

She also noted that Whitehorn reminds her of guard Gabby Elliott, a key contributor during the Sun Devils’ remarkable run last season.

"She's dynamic," Miller said. "I mean, even though she's a slasher, her three-point shot has come a long way this summer. She's the best rebounding guard, probably, that I've coached in a while. Her ability to make things happen that might be out of the set or the rhythm of the game is special because she [reminds me] a little bit of Gabby [Elliott].

"She can post up, she can hit the jumper, she can rebound. She's one of those strong physical guards, and she's got great SEC experience to where the defense is maybe a level up for her, but she understands the importance of the brand and putting all that together."

The Sun Devils also brought in guards Madi Morson and Rashunda Jones through the transfer portal in the offseason.

"I think me and Madi [Morson] would be two of the most dangerous wings in the Big 12 this season," Whitehorn said. "I'm looking forward to seeing how we kind of play off of each other, especially with Spider [Rashunda Jones] up there at the one, being able to make decisions, how she does, and her maturity when it comes to being a point guard and her experience. I'm just looking forward to her finding us, but also finding her shot."

During Morson's time at Central Michigan this past season, she won Mid-American Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Year and All-MAC First Team honors, averaging 20.1 points per game and making 49 three-pointers.

Jones, also known as 'Spider,' was one of the key players in the success of Michigan State women's basketball program. In her junior season with the Spartans, she averaged 1.7 points, 3.4 assists and 2.2 steals per game while scoring in double figures 19 times.

When asked about the backcourt trio of Whitehorn, Morson, and Jones, Miller described how intimidating Arizona State could be to opponents this season—particularly after the adjustments the team made over the summer.

"It's dangerous," Miller said Thursday. "Anybody, and that's what we said. It's when we get the rebound; it doesn't matter. Whatever guard's closest can take it and go; that speeds us up in transition. We don't have to go find our point guard, and we can send it ahead to someone.

"If Ruby got the rebound, she takes two dribbles, and she sees Spider [Rashunda Jones]; she can send it ahead to Spider. She sees Maddie [Morson], she can send it ahead. To have so many weapons out there that can handle the ball in the open court is going to be valuable for our transition. That's where I would have liked to be better last year is in open-court transition. And this team, when you have those three playing at the same time, anyone can handle it. So we're going to get out and go."

Whitehorn has been developing team chemistry with forwards McKinna Brackens, who recently won gold with the USA Women's 3x3 team in Wuhan, and Heloisa Carrera.

When asked about joining forces with Brackens and Carrera, Whitehorn shared her excitement, saying it was inspiring to watch them play last season.

"It was really fun to watch them play, but it's more fun playing with them," Whitehorn said. "I love playing with [Heloisa Carrera]. The pick-and-roll game is going to be great this year. And McKinna, she's so versatile as a four player. It's just an exciting thing to see, and I'm excited to see it develop over time as well."

As Whitehorn looks to build her momentum with the coaching staff and her teammates throughout the season, she gives credit to Miller and the coaching staff for emphasizing the importance of building relationships on and off the court.

"We have a great coaching staff," Whitehorn said. "We have coaches that'll help us in every area, and it's not like a typical school where each coach has like a position that they focus on or something like that. Each coach brings value all across the board, and we try to have strong and good relationships with them all."