JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — With eight returning players and six newcomers on the roster, ETSU women’s basketball is using the early weeks of the offseason to lay the foundation for the 2026-27 season.

Five of the Lady Bucs’ six additions are freshmen, joined by senior transfer Sydney-James Desroches. Head coach Brenda Mock Brown said the team’s current focus is helping the newcomers adjust while evaluating how the new roster fits together.

“Right now, this is in that awkward phase of trying. Everybody’s trying to get to know each other. We’re figuring out, who can do what? Learning teammates. Those kinds of things are going on right now, but this is the fun part,” Mock Brown said.

Desroches said finding a new home after navigating the transfer portal has made the transition easier, crediting her new teammates for helping her settle in.

“The transfer portal was super hectic, but finally being able to settle down and find a school, it was a relief in itself,” Desroches said. “But then coming here and the girls just being amazing and really welcoming me in, showing me around, giving me a lot of grace. I think it’s been a great adjustment so far.”

As offseason workouts continue, the Lady Bucs will prioritize building chemistry and establishing roles before turning their attention to the upcoming season.

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