Turkish Star set for sizzling sophomore year.
One of the more pleasant surprises in the 2023-24 UofL WBB season was the emergence of front line factor Elif Istanbulluoglu. Her freshman season was an impressive start, she played in all 34 UofL WBB contests, and drew two starts. In the Cards NCAA contest against MTSU, she scored seven points and had a three in her first ever NCAA Tournament action.
She had a double-double in her third-ever collegiate game, with 10 points and 12 rebounds in the win over Bellarmine. She recorded her career high points total against Boston College with 11 points.
This summer she's with the Turkiye squad in the U 20 squad and is a starter for the team where Jeff Walz is an assistant coach. They recently beat Lativa by 20 points for seventh place in the euroBasket U 20's. She;s averaged 20 points and eight rebounds in U20 play and is consdered one of the top five players in the Euros Round of 16
The european leagues are no stranger to Elif...she played for the FIBA Fenerbache squad that won the Turkish U20 euros for the first time in team history last summer.
Her game is multi-purpose...she can score both inside and out, and at 6'3" that's a nice card to have in your hand. She also showed a sense of toughness and passion for the Cards, another valuable thong to possess in the ACC.
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| Elif's older sister Sevval |
She comes from a basketball family. Both her parents played in the Turkish leagues and her older sister, Sevval, started for four years at Siena.
With Elif and returnees Nyla Harris and Olivia Cochran, plus several and talented freshmen and redshirt freshmen on the roster, the Cards should be one of the top rebounding teamsin the conference this season. Jayda Curry and Merissah Russell returning at the guard spots gives Louisville WBB a sold core of players for 2024-25....plus the influx of transfer guard Ja'Leah Williams out of Miami (FL) and four talented freshmen guards, including five star Imari Berry.
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| Remember them? |
A first glance indicates the Cards should be a deep and strong team and 2024-25 should be a fun and productive season for Louisville WBB.
paulie
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