24-25 Record: 13-17 (9-9)

Head Coach: Sarah Jenkins (4th season) can be caught dancing at the Midnight Hoopla event like it’s a Drake concert. She also hits bombs during softball games to wind down from a long day. The proud Auntie is hoping to do the same in her first C-USA season.

Jenkins, who guided Delaware to a 9-3 run to end 2024-25, emphasizes a balanced attack. They’ll outsmart teams more than outsprint, and that’s okay. Look for returners Jiya Perry (Communications), Ella Wanzer (Fashion/Apparel Studies), and Ande'a Cherisier (Human Relations) to lead the offense in a major way. Perry is very dynamic in setting the table; Cherisier (10.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 0.7 BPG, 45.6 FG%) is a former CAA All-Rookie Team honoree who should go off for 20+ points at least twice this season. She will get plenty of second chance and dump off opportunities anchoring the paint as the top returning scorer and rim protector.

Perry is puzzling just looking at the game logs. It’s hit or miss with too many ‘maybe’ nights for a step up in conference competition. Can she handle more playmaking pressure? Can she improve efficiency on catch-and-shoot opportunities under defensive pressure? Only time on the CUSA courts will tell. The good side of the tape shows a three-level scorer who can break down defenses off the dribble, hit from mid-range, and stretch the floor…usually.

Her experience and poise in crunch time will be invaluable. Expect Perry to be the primary option in high-leverage situations and the vocal leader on both ends of the floor. An ability to create for herself and others sets the tone for the entire offense.

If Perry is the engine, and Cherisier is the fuel, then Wanzer (8.8 points, team-leading 1.5 steals, CAA-leading 36% 3PA) is the flamethrower. Coming off a breakout junior season where she earned Third Team All-CAA honors, Wanzer established herself as one of the most lethal shooters in the conference. Her quick release and deep range force defenses to stretch to the breaking point, opening driving lanes for her teammates. A full season of the Perry-Wanzer backcourt, now with a year of chemistry under their belts, is a nightmare scenario for opposing coaches.

Wanzer brings shooting, poise, and experience. Her ability to knock down threes and move off the ball gives Delaware spacing. She can also be a defensive pest. For fans really wanting to dive deep into Delaware hoops, check out Wanzer’s design account (@ellawanzerdesigns) and podcast (@the_ballerdiaries).

Gianna Johnson, a 6-foot-5 sophomore who missed all of last season, will be a huge defensive addition. Getting up to speed should be a bit easier, well, since she was teammates with fellow New Heights NYC product Grace Sundback in the AAU days. Sundback, also coming off a redshirt injury season, averaged 5.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.2 steals as a freshman.

Johnson is the linchpin of the frontcourt though. A versatile and athletic forward, she impacts the game without needing a single play called for her. Her length and instincts make her a disruptive defender and an excellent rebounder on both backboards. Offensively, she is a reliable finisher around the rim and can step out to face up on anyone. Her development into a consistent double-double threat will be a major key to elevating the team's ceiling.

5wins Crystal Ball Call: Early non-conference games against Navy and Old Dominion will test their mettle. Expect Delaware to flirt with the top-4 spot but fall just short in their first CUSA season. The travel alone is going to wear down one of the smaller, shorter squads on the circuit. Johnson’s return from a season-ending injury is a success that screams championship or bust in 2026-27.