Kansas women's basketball took a trip to Europe, and here are 7 thoughts after KU's return

LAWRENCE — Kansas women’s basketball is back from its trip to Europe, where earlier this month it captured two exhibition victories.

The Jayhawks won 99-58 against an Italian Select Team in Rome. They later won 108-52 against a Greek Select Team in Athens. And on top of being able to enjoy a wide range of experiences while they were there, they’re now back and continuing their preparations for the upcoming season.

Here are seven thoughts about the trip, and what’s next:

Kansas’ depth was on display

There’s going to be further evaluation. One newcomer didn’t even make the trip. But Kansas coach Brandon Schneider said the most positive thing for him was the opportunity not just for the coaching staff to evaluate some of the new additions in game action, but for their returners to see how valuable the newcomers are going to be as well.

Everyone knows there are four key returners in super-senior guard Holly Kersgieter, super-senior center Taiyanna Jackson, senior guard Wyvette Mayberry and super-senior guard Zakiyah Franklin. They’re regular starters. But from how freshman guard S’Mya Nichols, super-senior guard/forward Ryan Cobbins and freshman guard Laia Conesa played, Schneider noted he feels like they’re going to be a lot deeper this season.

“I think as we look back and evaluate last year,” Schneider said, “our lack of depth was a real weakness for us and something that we’ve tried to improve over the summer months in recruiting.”

The trip proved valuable for the Jayhawks’ chemistry

Considering the roster turnover that occurred after Kansas’ 2023 Postseason WNIT title, and the varying times newcomers arrived, Kersgieter seemed to really appreciate having the trip to Europe so the team could have time to bond. She said they always try to do something together before the season, but this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s something they’ll have with each other forever.

Holly Kersgieter gives her take on Kansas’ roster

Kersgieter said she likes that some of the newcomers are older, and have experience, because they have a taste of what it takes at the college level. She added she has been impressed by how well Nichols and Conesa have done. And Kersgieter also likes the mindset the team has, as it looks to carry what it took to make the most of that WNIT experience into this season.

Brandon Schneider gives his take on the exhibition games

Schneider said they didn’t run a bunch of plays, but offensively he did like how they shared the ball. He highlighted the pace they played with and described it as faster than it was a year ago.

Ahead of the second game, Schneider said the players were challenged to be better in their ball-screen coverages. In the second game, he said that improved.

Here are Holly Kersgieter’s and S’Mya Nichols’ favorite moments from the trip

Kersgieter said her favorite day was probably the last day they spent in Greece when they went to the beach. And she also highlighted the tours they went on and historical sites they visited, because they may not ever get the chance to do things like that again.

Nichols said her favorite thing was when they played a game inside an Olympic stadium that include things like “little laser guns,” a relay and a track — everyone became very competitive. And she also enjoyed going tubing.

Here are Brandon Schneider’s favorite moments from the trip

As the Jayhawks traveled through some historic cities, Schneider enjoyed being able to take a step back and watch his players interact. There were a number of cool spots they were all able to visit. And for someone who’s a very faith-based person, Schneider found certain experiences special for himself as well.

“I guess, for me personally, being able to be in St. Peter’s cathedral, to know that that’s where his remains are,” Schneider said. “And then to see Mars Hill, where Paul preached to the Athenians.”

Brandon Schneider highlights three recently announced additions to the roster

Kansas is up to 13 scholarship players for the season, with the announcement earlier this month that Cobbins, junior guard/forward Skyler Gill and freshman center Paris Gaines have all signed.

Cobbins, Schneider said, is a long, athletic stretch-four who shot 3s well in Europe. She transferred in from Alabama, and started her career at North Dakota State.

Gill, Schneider said, is a proven defender and rebounder at the Division I level who transferred in from North Alabama. Gill, who collected numerous ASUN Conference honors the past two seasons, hadn’t practiced with the team yet as of Tuesday.

Gaines, Schneider said, is someone he’s excited about because of her upside. Schneider added Gaines hasn’t played a ton of organized basketball in recent years, but is highly skilled.

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Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: 7 thoughts on Kansas women's basketball's trip to Europe, what's next