University of Minnesota Athletics
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
Hubbard, Bagwell Katalinich to Return for Additional Season
4/14/2021 3:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota women's basketball student-athletes Gadiva Hubbard and Laura Bagwell Katalinich will both be returning for an additional year of competition next season.
Hubbard, who was a fifth-year senior last year, and Bagwell Katalinich, who was a graduate transfer, are exercising their option under NCAA guidelines to compete in an extra season of competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We are excited that Diva and Laura chose to use their extra year of eligibility and play another season at Minnesota," Minnesota head coach Lindsay Whalen said. "They both embody our core values and what it means to be a Gopher. They are first and foremost great teammates, and bring a wealth of experience and leadership to our program. The continuity of our roster for two straight years will positively impact our chemistry and competitive success."
A native of Virginia Beach, Va., Hubbard played in 16 games a year ago with 14 starts. She averaged 11.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game while leading the team in free throw percentage (.921). She also ranked second in steals per game (1.1) and finished third in field goal percentage (.432), 3-pointers made and attempted per game (1.8 and 5.4). She had eight games in double figures, including a season-high 24 points at Wisconsin on Jan. 3 where 19 of her points came in the second half and nine were in overtime.
Hubbard enters the 2021-22 season ranked third in team history in career 3-pointers attempted (597), sixth in career 3's made (206) and 17th in career points (1,249).
"I decided to take the extra year because I love playing the game," Hubbard said. "If I could play forever I would. I have a great relationship with Coach Whalen and the rest of the staff. And you can't beat an extra degree."
Bagwell Katalinich, a Minneapolis native who spent the previous three years at Cornell, played in 18 games with two starts in her first season in the Maroon and Gold in 2020-21. She averaged 5.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, ranking third on the team in offensive rebounds per game (1.6). She reached double figures four times, including notable performances of 10 points and a season-high nine rebounds against Nebraska in the Big Ten Tournament, 12 points and five boards versus Penn State on Jan. 10, a season-high 16 points and five rebounds at Wisconsin on Jan. 3 and 10 points with six rebounds on Dec. 23 against an Indiana squad that reached the Elite Eight.
"I am thrilled to be returning for another year at Minnesota," Bagwell Katalinich said. "A season removed from a huge transition to the Big Ten, untimely injuries, and the general uncertainty of what a "COVID season" would look like, I hope this upcoming year will allow me to be the player I know I can be. I am eager to get back in the gym and continue building a culture that will outlast my time in the Maroon and Gold."
With the announcements by Hubbard and Bagwell Katalinich, all 13 members of last season's squad are scheduled to return next season.
Rising juniors Jasmine Powell and Sara Scalia each earned All-Big Ten honors this past season. Powell was named Second Team All-Big Ten by the league's coaches and Honorable Mention All-Big Ten by the media covering the conference. Meanwhile, Scalia was chosen Honorable Mention All-Big Ten by the coaches and media.
In addition, Minnesota welcomes in a freshman class of Maggie Czinano and Alanna Micheaux. Katie Borowicz was also a signee in the class but enrolled early and joined the team in January.
Hubbard, who was a fifth-year senior last year, and Bagwell Katalinich, who was a graduate transfer, are exercising their option under NCAA guidelines to compete in an extra season of competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We are excited that Diva and Laura chose to use their extra year of eligibility and play another season at Minnesota," Minnesota head coach Lindsay Whalen said. "They both embody our core values and what it means to be a Gopher. They are first and foremost great teammates, and bring a wealth of experience and leadership to our program. The continuity of our roster for two straight years will positively impact our chemistry and competitive success."
A native of Virginia Beach, Va., Hubbard played in 16 games a year ago with 14 starts. She averaged 11.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game while leading the team in free throw percentage (.921). She also ranked second in steals per game (1.1) and finished third in field goal percentage (.432), 3-pointers made and attempted per game (1.8 and 5.4). She had eight games in double figures, including a season-high 24 points at Wisconsin on Jan. 3 where 19 of her points came in the second half and nine were in overtime.
Hubbard enters the 2021-22 season ranked third in team history in career 3-pointers attempted (597), sixth in career 3's made (206) and 17th in career points (1,249).
"I decided to take the extra year because I love playing the game," Hubbard said. "If I could play forever I would. I have a great relationship with Coach Whalen and the rest of the staff. And you can't beat an extra degree."
Bagwell Katalinich, a Minneapolis native who spent the previous three years at Cornell, played in 18 games with two starts in her first season in the Maroon and Gold in 2020-21. She averaged 5.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, ranking third on the team in offensive rebounds per game (1.6). She reached double figures four times, including notable performances of 10 points and a season-high nine rebounds against Nebraska in the Big Ten Tournament, 12 points and five boards versus Penn State on Jan. 10, a season-high 16 points and five rebounds at Wisconsin on Jan. 3 and 10 points with six rebounds on Dec. 23 against an Indiana squad that reached the Elite Eight.
"I am thrilled to be returning for another year at Minnesota," Bagwell Katalinich said. "A season removed from a huge transition to the Big Ten, untimely injuries, and the general uncertainty of what a "COVID season" would look like, I hope this upcoming year will allow me to be the player I know I can be. I am eager to get back in the gym and continue building a culture that will outlast my time in the Maroon and Gold."
With the announcements by Hubbard and Bagwell Katalinich, all 13 members of last season's squad are scheduled to return next season.
Rising juniors Jasmine Powell and Sara Scalia each earned All-Big Ten honors this past season. Powell was named Second Team All-Big Ten by the league's coaches and Honorable Mention All-Big Ten by the media covering the conference. Meanwhile, Scalia was chosen Honorable Mention All-Big Ten by the coaches and media.
In addition, Minnesota welcomes in a freshman class of Maggie Czinano and Alanna Micheaux. Katie Borowicz was also a signee in the class but enrolled early and joined the team in January.
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