Five thoughts on the Mizzou women’s basketball program during an eventful offseason

The latest addition to the Missouri women’s basketball program comes from overseas, although that’s not an entirely new development.

Head coach Robin Pingeton has consistently looked overseas for contributors, and her latest addition is Hilke Feldrappe from Germany.

Here are five thoughts on Missouri women’s basketball after the program signed Feldrappe.

Hilke Feldrappe deepens the wing rotation

Sara-Rose Smith’s entrance into the transfer portal was a blow to the team’s depth and versatility. Smith lead the team in rebounding, was improving her three-point shot and was a player who could start if needed.

Feldrappe’s commitment fills that spot.

The 6-foot-2 incoming freshman averaged 13.0 points and 11.0 rebounds last season for ALBA Berlin in the top division of the Damen Basketball Bundesliga.

Feldrappe also has international experience having played for Team Germany in the U18 European Championships. She helped Germany to an appearance in the bronze medal game.

As a player, Feldrappe’s ALBA Berlin profile lists her as a power forward and a small forward. She was a productive rebounder who wasn’t afraid to shoot from the perimeter. That’s nearly the same profile MU had in Smith. However, Smith was accustomed to SEC play.

While it’s hard to forecast how many minutes Feldrappe will get in year one under Pingeton, there’s no denying that Feldrappe can provide depth and height as a wing player.

Mizzou could enter season with 2 point guards

One area Missouri could have prioritized this offseason was adding another point guard. Lauren Hansen and Haley Troup both had the skills to handle the ball outside of Mama Dembele; Troup graduated and Hansen transferred out to Michigan.

The reason MU hasn’t prioritized finding a point guard is because of Dembele and second-year player Averi Kroenke.

Kroenke was an ESPN-listed top-100 recruit coming out of Rock Bridge. She was a player that did everything for the Bruins — scoring, rebounding, passing — and showed promise last year as a defensive specialist coming off the bench.

The bottom line is simple: Expect Kroenke to see more time handling the ball next season. She doesn’t need to be a first-team All-SEC player to make a big impact. Other players on the Tigers will carry the scoring torch, like Frank, Grace Slaughter and Ashton Judd, and Kroenke can be a critical piece of MU’s movement offense by making three-pointers on kick-out passes and by taking care of the basketball.

With a second summer under her belt, it’s fair to expect her to take up more of a role in the guard rotation.

Expect Grace Slaughter to start

Speaking of MU’s scoring options, losing Smith and Hansen is a blow to the Tigers’ offense. It’s part of what the Tigers relied on last year.

Hansen’s three-point shooting struggled last season, but she still had the ability to force defenses to respect her on the perimeter. Smith’s wing presence helped space the offense and opened up lanes to drive to the basket. Slaughter brings both of those skills.

Slaughter dominated in nearly every was at Grain Valley. She averaged 27.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.8 steals as a senior. She earned the 2022-23 Gatorade Missouri Girls Basketball Player of the Year honor and won gold at the 2021 FIBA Americas U16 Championships for Team USA.

This kind of player already has extensive basketball experience. What she offers as a freshman could be the focal point of the program by her junior season. Getting her minutes early is imperative to get her up to speed at the college level.

This team still needs to add 2 more pieces

MU has revamped its rotation in the post with the recent additions of Abby Feit, Angelique Ngalakulondi and Feldrappe to go along with the Linthacum sisters.

With the transfer additions and the incoming young players, the frontcourt is virtually set, except maybe for the addition of a true center that can focus on rebounding and defense.

The tallest player MU has is Micah Linthacum at 6-foot-4. A transfer that’s just as tall or taller can provide depth and allow Missouri to play taller lineups that could match with programs in the SEC that have height.

Meanwhile, the backcourt could still use depth after Skylar Jones’ decommitment and Katlyn Gilbert’s transfer out. Specifically, the team could use a three-point sniper that could help replace what Hansen and Troup brought as three-point shooters.

An anticipated starting 5, as of today

Given the newest additions, transfers and freshmen alike, here’s what a starting five could look like so far:

Guard: Mama Dembele

Dembele has been the starting point guard for the last two seasons. This should not change, unless Kroenke somehow wins the spot this offseason.

Guard: Ashton Judd

Judd was instant offense off the bench for Missouri last season at times as a freshman. She naturally fits into the starting five where Hansen left off.

Wing: Grace Slaughter

Slotting a freshman to start is a tall task for any player just out of high school. Slaughter deserves that spot with her high ranking out of Grain Valley and the potential she brings.

Forward: Angelique Ngalakulondi

The UMass transfer brings a rebounding presence as well as an efficient offense in the post. She’ll naturally fit the spot that Jayla Kelly leaves open.

Forward: Hayley Frank

The returning fifth-year player brings versatility and experience to the Tigers’ lineup. Her shooting and rebounding are what Missouri can rely on, especially early on.

The Star has partnered with the Columbia Daily Tribune for coverage of Missouri Tigers athletics.