THE MODERATOR: We welcome to the podium Kristy Curry, head coach at the University of Alabama.
KRISTY CURRY: Commissioner Sankey, when I was at Stephen F. Austin, used to come through and administer our coach's exam, because he was in compliance. He'll tell you I never missed a question on the compliance exam. I really appreciate him and all to he's meant to my career. It's been fun. I don't think we both probably thought we would be standing here today. We're really blessed.
We lost 67% of our scoring, 41% of our rebounding, and 61% of our assists on a top-25 offense and defense a year ago. But I'm so excited about what this team can become. Top-20 recruiting class, four freshmen, three transfers, eight returnees. Three of those that did not play a year ago due to injury are back. We are really excited about the potential and what this team can become.
Excited to be here. Again, blessed to be at Alabama now my 13th season. I'm truly excited again about what this team can become. We have a chance to kick our season off Thursday in Boutwell, which is going to be an amazing event in that arena, against a Florida State team who is also traditionally a tournament team, at noon.
We are going to be thrown into the fire quickly. We're excited. I think that will give us an opportunity to gauge where we're at and continue to move forward before we on the season officially.
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. How has the WNBA draftees changed your recruiting?
KRISTY CURRY: I think it's impacted our recruiting. The one thing about that is is we are a Player Development Program at Alabama. I think you see players traditionally in our program continue to get better. When they buy into our position-less basketball, how we play, how we develop, if you're willing to put the work in, we can definitely help you to accomplish those dreams.
We had five seniors. All five of playing professionally. It's incredible. Three of those five left with two degrees, one's working on their MBA, one got their undergrad. We're five for five, number one academically, secondly playing professionally. It's amazing to see what S.A. and Aaliyah were able to do in the W. As a rookie, it's really hard to make the roster. Aaliyah had the chance to win a WNBA championship with the Aces. S.A. had a phenomenal rookie season. Zaay Green is currently overseas in Lithuania. JeAnna Cunningham is in Montenegro. CB Ezumah is in Spain.
It's incredible. If you come to Alabama, we believe we can win at a really high level and prepare you for the next level.
Q. Obviously you brought in three new transfers this off-season. How do they look so far and what role do you expect them to have?
KRISTY CURRY: I think we all expect them to play an impact role. They're all three very experienced. They bring some versatility, some energy.
All three are really different. Waiata had a chance to play at Baylor, was a really good player for them. I think she brings a maturity and experience. Her journey has been a little different. She's from New Zealand. She's a lot of fun to be around. She's added a lot of personality to our team.
You look at Alancia Ramsey, who is your prototype. When she walks in the room, you're like, Wow, what an athlete. The impact she can have with -- I mentioned the rebounding loss, man, she is incredible on the offensive glass and defensive glass. From last season even with that team, that was an area we had to improve in recruiting.
Ta'Mia Scott probably was preseason Conference USA Player of the Year going into this. She brings a replacement to the scoring that we lost. I think she does a really, really good job. She's a three-level scorer. Her three and her ability to get to the rim. We need to shoot more free throws, rebound the ball better. I think she brings both of those.
I'm excited about all three. Our freshman class, as well.
Q. With eight returners and seven newcomers, how are you balancing continuity with change?
KRISTY CURRY: It's competitive. I love it. Every single day, the way that you improve and the way you get better as a player, how we can put them in a position each and every single day to compete against one another. Playing time is earned; nothing is given. It's hard right now so it's competitive. The SEC is competitive.
Our practices have been some of the most competitive we've had. I feel like especially in the post, it's one of our deepest teams, forward and post spot. I think you'll see us more inside than we have been a couple of years. We love to shoot the first open shot, and we will. I also feel we have a great post presence, the best group we've had there.
It's very competitive right now. Competition helps you elevate every single day as a person and as a player. We're excited about that.
Q. You opened with what you lost production-wise. The leaders as well. With the three you brought here, how have they stepped up in the leadership role?
KRISTY CURRY: We have a saying that culture never graduates, it never graduates at Alabama. What we've been able to establish, Karly is the epitome of everything you should be about. I don't think there's very many players that have been to three straight NCAA tournaments, became a starter, is also graduating with a nursing degree in May from the Capstone school of nursing. She sets a great example. She's extremely vocal. She's never made a B, so she's a lot smarter than I am. That helps our program.
You look at Essence Cody, what an impact player. Her presence in the paint, her versatility. She's ready to break out. I thought she had a phenomenal SEC season last year. We're excited about the presence and the versatility, how she's really game.
Jessica Timmons, Jess practiced with us a lot in January and February. To have the opportunity for our perimeter and back court to go against her every day, we didn't see much better in SEC play. She is an impact, strong, physical, has an edge and toughness about her.
I think all three in their own way continue the tradition of great leaders, work ethic, people, energy that's come before them. I'm excited. It's their turn.
That's the joy of coaching. Yes, we lost a lot, but that's part of it. I love, love this team. I love our leadership. I love who we can become because I think we'll be a lot different team in January than we are right now. It's going to be a lot of fun to watch their evolution as leaders as well as our team.
Q. Obviously taking a big step as a program also comes from having a home-court advantage. What can y'all do to improve that or keep improving that? How important is that?
KRISTY CURRY: Yeah, it's definitely important. We need to continue to get out in the community and give back and speak. I never turn down an opportunity anywhere in the entire state and anywhere across the region to try and work and continue to grow our fan base.
Our community isn't the largest numbers, but they do support us. We have a phenomenal booster group. You've seen how we've grown our attendance and we're going to continue to work at it. We hope our fan base continues to come out and support. We're going to continue to give back, build relationships, never say no for any opportunity to grow that fan base.
Q. Your scouting report for Thursday in Birmingham against Florida State, what you're expecting to see out of that team?
KRISTY CURRY: I think this time of year, it's kind of hard with scouting reports. They have three returnees. Good news, the transfer film I'm watching, trying to understand player tendencies. We know their system and style of play isn't going to change. They love to play fast. I think transition defense will be so pivotal. Our ability to not give them more than one-shot opportunities.
We both love to play fast. We had an opportunity to play them two years ago in the NCAA tournament. It's an amazing program, what they've done, how they've built that. I think we're on the same trajectory. We play similar. It will be a fun day for us because it will challenge us.
I think it's the time of year where seeing a different jersey beside our own players and our practice players is going to be a lot of fun. We're thrilled for the support of Hibbett and Nike, just to have a women's game along with the men, continue to grow.
We've talked earlier about how we continue to grow our fan base, the opportunity for us to be in Birmingham, be a part of this event, to continue to grow girl's basketball across the state. I feel like that's part of our responsibility. We're excited for Thursday in so many regards.
Q. The freshman class, it's probably as talented as one as you've signed in a long time. Talk about Ace Austin and the impact she could have, and the size you signed?
KRISTY CURRY: Ace, you got to love that name. That sounds like a point guard. Ace Austin, a name to remember. She brings so much to our program. She is a dynamic, energetic, really can do a lot of things with the basketball in her hands. I think she's going to have a phenomenal career and impact for us early.
She was out with an ankle injury. I think this is six practices back. It's great to have her healthy. I thought she had one of her best days yesterday. She really gets it. She looks to make everyone around her better. Multiple state championships. Just phenomenal. She's a winner.
I think that's going to be a really, really great addition to our back court with Diana Collins and Jessica Timmons and Karly Weathers. I could sit here and go on and on because I truly believe right now it's extremely competitive with all 15.
Then you look at Lourdes Da Silva, won a national championship, was on the Swedish national team this summer. A versatile 6'2" forward. One of the best high school players I've ever seen as far as a motor. She plays and goes so hard. I think she will be the next great forward at Alabama in a line of some really good ones, like Sarah Ashlee Barker.
Then you look at Joy Egbuna, who comes from Faith Family, played on the national schedule as well. She gives us more depth in the paint along with Naomi Jones and Essence Cody, fierce, aggressive, does a really good job.
Tianna Chambers, who played on the EYBL Nike Circuit, missed her senior season with an ACL, working her way back from that. A 5'10" forward who is versatile, has an opportunity to be a good player.
Our freshman class with those three transfers, eight returnees, give us a roster with talent and versatility.
Q. This program hasn't been to the Sweet 16 since 1998. You've been to the tournament four of the last five years. What about this team do you think can get this program to the Sweet 16 for the first time in nearly three decades?
KRISTY CURRY: That's a goal, to continue to advance the program and move it forward. I feel like the talent on this roster...
I think a couple years ago we were picked ninth and finished fourth. You look at us a year ago, a basket here or there, a stop, a loose ball, we're right where we want to be.
I think we continue to move the program forward. We understand no one expects more than of that than I do. We're working and building, continuing to get better. That's the goal, right, continue to go beyond the Sweet 16. I've been to a Final Four. I've been to multiple Sweet 16s. I understand what that is about.
I think it starts with high character in recruiting. We've done that and will continue to work towards that.
THE MODERATOR: Thank you for your time this afternoon.
KRISTY CURRY: Thank y'all. Roll Tide.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports