Who is on the Missouri State Lady Bears roster heading into 2023-24 season?

Lady Bears head coach Beth Cunningham has a lot of new faces heading into her second year in Springfield. A lot of youth mixed in with players who proved themselves a year ago gives Missouri State a high ceiling for what it can accomplish this year with development throughout the season.

Here are the players on the Lady Bears' 2023-24 roster.

Katrine Jessen, senior

Jessen is a 6-foot-4 forward who is going to see plenty of time in the Lady Bears' loaded frontcourt. The Kansas transfer appeared in 20 games for a Jayhawks team that won the WNIT championship.

Jessen is the tallest player on the team and has the ability to stretch defenses from all over the court. During the Lady Bears' sneak preview event, we saw her on the court with the likes of Kennedy Taylor, Jade Masogayo and Indya Green — which is going to give Cunningham plenty of options in what lineups she throws out on the court.

More: What has Beth Cunningham excited for her second year as Missouri State Lady Bears coach

Paige Rocca, senior

Rocca is the Lady Bears' veteran leader as she enters her fourth year with the program. For as long as it's felt like she's been in Springfield, she will still have a year of eligibility once this season concludes.

Rocca will have a big role on the Lady Bears this season. She started in 18 games for MSU last season while averaging 31.8 minutes, seven points and 3.2 boards per game. She should have a similar role this year as she brings along the new batch of newcomers in MSU's frontcourt.

Kennedy Taylor, junior

Taylor could be considered the Lady Bears' best player heading into the season. She proved in her first year at MSU last year after transferring in from Colorado that she could be one of the better post players in the Missouri Valley Conference — when she was playing her first full year of college basketball. She is capable of being even better.

The All-MVC third-teamer from last season started in 29 games while averaging 12.3 points and a team-high 8.5 boards. She was one of the better offensive rebounders in the country and finished the year with 11 boards.

Indya Green, junior

The former Kickapoo star proved she belonged at the Division I level last season in her debut with her hometown team. She started all 32 games for the Lady Bears last season and will now see a position change that should add a whole new dimension to her game.

Green will play more of a guard position than she has over her entire career. She's capable of dribbling the ball up the court and defending on the perimeter — something we didn't even see from her when she shined as a Lady Chief. She'll still play some on the inside and continue to be the great rebounder she is. Her growth as a versatile player is going to be fun to watch.

Lacy Stokes, junior

Stokes, a former Mount Vernon star, transfers to Missouri State after two All-American years at the Division II level in Joplin with Missouri Southern. She will be the Lady Bears' starting point guard on opening night.

More: Now a Lady Bear, Mount Vernon's Lacy Stokes is still out to prove her doubters wrong

Stokes, at 5-foot-4, is known for her mid-range shot and ability to create for others. She's lauded for her quickness and capability of putting up big numbers in a hurry. The fanbase's excitement to watch Stokes this year might be higher than anyone else on the roster.

Angel Scott, junior

Scott is set to be the Lady Bears' backup point guard after transferring in from Stephen F. Austin where she started all 34 games last season. There will be opportunities for her to be on the court at the same time as Stokes.

Scott averaged 6.7 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. She made 49 shots from deep last season which was second on the team. If she gets her outside shot going, the Lady Bears are going to be in a really good spot.

Jaiden Bryant, sophomore

Bryant enters her second year with the Lady Bears after making 23 appearances last season. She scored a total of 13 points and grabbed 27 rebounds as a sophomore.

With the number of guards coming in, Bryant will be in the mix to fight to get on the court and claim a role. Her development in year two will be something to keep an eye on.

Jade Masogayo, sophomore

Masogayo was named the MVC Freshman of the Year a year ago and she will have the opportunity to become one of the league's premier players over the next several seasons.

Masogayo averaged eight points and 5.4 rebounds and led the team with a 52.6% field goal percentage. She blocked the eighth-most shots in a single season in MSU history.

The 6-foot-3 forward was highly touted coming into Missouri State and she lived up to the hype. Another step forward will continue to solidify the Lady Bears' frontcourt as the best in the league and make them a contender by the year's end.

Khloe Moad, sophomore

The Ash Grove native played in 15 games as a true freshman. She scored two points and grabbed four rebounds over the season while coming off the bench.

The 6-foot-2 forward will continue to develop under Cunningham while looking to take advantage of any opportunities given. With a loaded frontcourt and new pieces added, minutes will be limited and will have to be earned.

Natasha Barnes, freshman

Barnes is a point guard to keep an eye on as she makes Springfield home after playing high school ball in Chicago. She was an Illinois all-state selection a year ago while averaging 12.3 points and 2.3 assists as a senior.

Cunningham teased that Barnes' growth this season could see her in the mix at point guard behind the likes of Stokes and Scott.

More: Meet the Missouri State Lady Bears' newcomers entering the 2023-24 season

Kyrah Daniels, freshman

Daniels is one of the more experienced freshmen coming in after she played the last two seasons at ThunderRidge High in Colorado after spending the prior two years playing semi-pro ball in Australia.

Daniels can score. She was her conference's player of the year and an all-state performer when she averaged 17 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.6 steals a year ago. She might be the freshman to keep an eye on this year.

Kaemyn Bekemeier, freshman

The Bekemeier show moves from Republic to Great Southern Bank Arena after the local star shined over the previous four seasons. She's among the best area recruits of the last decade and she'll play in Springfield.

Bekemeier is a great scorer and creator for others. She averaged 23 points and 10 rebounds for the Lady Tigers and was a four-time all-state selection.

She's young and could have an opportunity to earn some minutes. We'll see how quickly she can become comfortable at the college level but everyone who has watched her play knows how bright her future is.

Louis Volker, freshman

Volker, a 6-foot-1 forward who attended Paul VI in Virginia, helped lead one of the better-known high school programs in the country to a pair of state titles. She averaged 14.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists last season.

Blake O'Grady, freshman

O'Grady is a 6-foot freshman who was touted as one of the top prospects out of New England upon her commitment. She averaged 12 points, six rebounds and three assists as a junior.

Wyatt D. Wheeler is a reporter and columnist with the Springfield News-Leader. You can contact him at 417-371-6987, by email at wwheeler@news-leader.com or X at @WyattWheeler_NL. He's also the host of the weekly "Wyatt's World Podcast" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other podcasting platforms

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri State Lady Bears roster heading into 2023-24