Three bold predictions for Georgia women's basketball: Potential leaders, postseason stint

Katie Abrahamson-Henderson's second season at the helm of Georgia women's basketball begins Monday night in Athens against North Carolina A&T.

Abrahamson-Henderson has called the team a 'secret,' with a revamped roster including transfer portal additions, a former four-star recruit freshman and several players limited last season due to injury.

Georgia was predicted to finish seventh in the SEC by media members across the country.

Before the first tipoff, here are our bold predictions:

Georgia women's basketball will go far in NCAA Tournament

Georgia women's basketball gets a postseason bid almost every year. They've missed only four tournaments since 2000, with back-to-back-to-back appearances in 2021-2023.

However, it's not common they advance past the second round.

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The last time they reached the Sweet 16 was during 2013's Elite Eight run under legendary coach Andy Landers.

Guard Chloe Chapman said her return for a fifth year had a lot to do with the Lady Bulldogs' 74-66 loss to Iowa in the second-round last season, as well as the 83-66 loss to LSU in the SEC Tournament.

"There were just games that we just need another shot at them, so coming back for my fifth year was not even a question at all," she said. "I was definitely doing to take advantage of having the opportunity to play one more year, to play with my sisters and teammates I've had here for years and compete for one last time in the SEC, a super competitive and really talented league."

Destiny Thomas will gather necessary second chances

Destiny Thomas, a fifth-year transfer from Central Florida, figures to play a key role in the post, along with returning players Javyn Nicholson and Jordan Cole.

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Thomas led the Knights last season with 11 rebounds per game, ranking 12th overall in the NCAA.

Abrahamson-Henderson called her a rebounding machine.

"She rebounds that ball, that's what she does, that's what she's innate at doing," Abrahamson-Henderson said. "She can draw fouls and get offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds. She's very smart, got a huge basketball IQ, she does all the little, intangible things that I think are going to really help us (in the long run)."

Transfer portal players will boost the guard positions

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San Diego State junior transfer Asia Avinger is at the top of the list when it comes to potential point guards this season. And she'll have help on the perimeter from Penn State fifth-year transfer Taniyah Thompson.

Thompson started seven of 30 games she played last season and averaged 7.8 points per game.

At East Carolina between 2019-2022, Thompson was a constant starter who averaged 14.7 points per game in three seasons. Abrahamson-Henderson noted she is more of a two-guard and fills a void Diamond Battles left behind upon graduation.

Avinger averaged 11.8 points in two seasons as an Aztec. She's confident she will bring what it takes to the table.

"I think I'm able to fulfill that role in my own kind of way. I think I bring different things to my game and to the team as well," Avinger said. "I feel like it'd be good for me."

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Georgia women's basketball three bold predictions