Boise State basketball will say goodbye to 11 seniors. What legacy do they leave?
Boise State basketball coaches Leon Rice and Gordy Presnell are doing their best to keep a lid on their emotions.
But they have a difficult few days ahead as 11 seniors prepare for their final appearances at ExtraMile Arena.
“You really try not to (get emotional),” Rice said. “But it’s tough when you’ve got this many guys that mean so much to you. You get those moments of, ‘Man, this is the last time I’m gonna coach them here in this arena.’ But we’re not saying goodbye. It’s the fans’ chance to come say goodbye to these guys and appreciate them.”
Rice and the Boise State men will celebrate five seniors in a 2 p.m. matchup Sunday against New Mexico, while Presnell and the Bronco women have a sendoff for six seniors at 7 p.m. Monday against UNLV. Both contests are crucial for Mountain West Tournament seeding.
The women’s senior class has won three Mountain West Tournament championships and two regular-season titles.
“It’s been an honor to be part of their lives,” Presnell said. “Those six seniors have nine degrees and five championships so far, and I don’t know if anyone in Mountain West history has had the kind of seasons that they’ve put together.
“Each one of them have had such great moments here that they can take with them, and then collectively being a part of something greater than yourself.”
Both groups will leave a significant hole to fill next season. The five senior men have accounted for 56.9 percent of the Broncos’ scoring this season, while the senior class on the women’s side has taken care of 61.9 percent of the scoring in 2019-20.
Men honor five seniors
MARCUS DICKINSON
In a nutshell: Valued for his high character, consistency and work ethic, Rice says Dickinson is the kind of guy who will be there for his teammates, even 20 years from now. The Norman, Oklahoma, native has played in 116 career games, including 49 starts. He also has been one of the Broncos’ best on-ball defenders throughout his career.
Quotable: “They’re like brothers, man. The special part about us is even after college, we’re all going to be so close with each other,” Dickinson said.
What’s next: He is on track to graduate with a degree in communication later this year.
ALEX HOBBS
In a nutshell: The 2018 Mountain West Sixth Man of the Year has succeeded in a variety of roles for the Broncos over four seasons. Hobbs is nine points away from breaking into the 1,000-point club. He has started 41 of the 116 career games he’s played in for Boise State and is averaging 8.3 points and 3.1 rebounds this season.
Quotable: “The shared experiences on the court have been special, but the ones off the court have been even more special,” Hobbs said.
What’s next: He is on track to graduate with a degree in media arts later this year.
JUSTINIAN JESSUP
In a nutshell: He has quietly become one of the most impactful players in Boise State history. Jessup already owns the career 3-point record (313) at Boise State and in the Mountain West. He joined the 1,000-point club earlier this season and has climbed all the way up to No. 8 for career points (1,520) and career steals (149). His 117 career starts are the third-most in Boise State history.
Quotable: “It’s been fun. All of us have contributed in one way or another. We’ve been through ups and downs together. It’s been an awesome ride, and we’re looking to finish it out the right way,” Jessup said.
What’s next: He will graduate with a degree in media arts with an emphasis in public relations this spring but plans to take his basketball career as far as he can before joining the workforce.
ROBIN JORCH
In a nutshell: Boise State fans know the 6-foot-11, Berlin, Germany, native is willing to sacrifice his body on the defensive end, regularly drawing charges from opposing teams. This is his fifth season at Boise State after redshirting last year because of a shoulder injury. His greatest contributions are not on the stat sheet, Rice said, but in his unselfishness and team-first attitude. He is averaging 4.2 points and 3.1 rebounds this season — both career highs.
Quotable: “It’s lifelong friendships, especially for me. When I first came over here, I didn’t know what to expect, who I would meet, so I’m just grateful for all the people that I have met. All my teammates are my brothers,” Jorch said.
What’s next: He completed his undergraduate degree in communication last semester and says he plans to return to Germany and play professional basketball.
RJ WILLIAMS
In a nutshell: Energy, effort and his rim-attacking style have made the Los Angeles native a fan favorite in his two seasons at Boise State. Williams has posted a team-leading eight double-doubles and 18 dunks this season and is averaging 11.3 points and 8.1 rebounds. His 8.1 rebounds per game is on pace to tie for the No. 5 mark in single-season program history.
Quotable: “All my teammates are family, all the coaches are like family, and I’m thankful for all the great connections and getting to see all these dudes be successful,” Williams said.
What’s next: He graduated with a degree in communication last semester and says he already has plans in the works to play professional basketball overseas.
Women celebrate six seniors
JAYDE CHRISTOPHER
In a nutshell: After playing two seasons at Kansas, the Federal Way, Washington, point guard transferred to Boise State. In just two seasons with the Broncos, Christopher ranks third in program history for career assists with 404 and counting. She owns the Broncos’ single-game (14) and single-season (222) assists records and could take down the Mountain West single-season record (243) before her career is over.
Quotable: “I feel really blessed, but I have a lot more to work toward. No settling, no complacency. That’s what I always tell myself. I’m looking to continue to look for my teammates,” Christopher said of setting the program’s single-season assists record.
What’s next: Christopher graduated with a degree in communication last May and is working toward a sociology degree. She says she’s not ready to give up basketball yet and likely will pursue a career overseas.
A’SHANTI COLEMAN
In a nutshell: The San Francisco native played one season at Arizona before transferring to Boise State. In three seasons with the Broncos, Coleman has established herself as one of the program’s most accurate shooters and an all-around threat. Her career field-goal percentage of 51.3 percent ranks third in program history, and she is sixth in career blocked shots with 86. She is averaging career highs of 10.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game this season.
Quotable: “We’re just trying to live in the moment and just enjoy our experiences and create memories, because we have no idea when it will end,” Coleman said.
What’s next: She already has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and is working toward a master’s in public administration.
BRAYDEY HODGINS
In a nutshell: The 2019 Mountain West Tournament MVP will leave her name throughout Boise State’s record book for single-game, single-season and career performances. Hodgins is the 22nd player in program history to score 1,000 points or more, currently checking in at No. 17 with 1,083 points. Other career milestones include fifth for career 3-point percentage (36. 1 percent), No. 10 for free throws made (259), eighth for free-throw percentage (77.8) and eighth for assists (295), and she’ll likely crack the top 10 for 3-pointers made (140).
Quotable: “I’ll remember those Mountain West championships in Vegas. That’s what I’m most proud about here. Individual stuff doesn’t matter, I’m just so happy about the team and how we’ve grown this program and continued to build on what was here when we got here,” Hodgins said.
What’s next: She graduated with a degree in criminal justice and will earn her master’s in business later this year. Like both of her older sisters, she plans to continue her basketball career overseas.
RILEY LUPFER
In a nutshell: The lefty from Spokane, Washington, will go down as one of the purest shooters in program history, with a particularly deadly skill set behind the 3-point line. Lupfer is the Broncos’ single-season (122) and career leader for 3-pointers made (333). Her 1,472 career points ranks fifth in program history, and she’s second for career 3-point percentage (38.9). Lupfer was the 2018 Mountain West Tournament MVP and a two-time All-Mountain West honoree.
Quotable: “I’ll always remember these girls. You walk in the locker room and instantly your mood rises. They just make you laugh all the time,” Lupfer said.
What’s next: She is on track to graduate this spring with a degree in social science and has her eye on continuing her basketball career overseas. Lupfer may later pursue a master’s in sports psychology, she said.
MARIJKA VANDERSCHAAF
In a nutshell: She was granted a sixth year of eligibility for the 2019-20 season, but was forced to medically retire because of a series of knee injuries. Vanderschaaf had her biggest on-court impact during the 2016-17 season in which she averaged 10.1 points and 6.5 rebounds. Despite limited time on the court, she ranks 22nd for career blocked shots (51) and 15th for field-goal percentage (46.3 percent).
Quotable: “The relationships and the people I’ve been around, and how supportive they’ve been, there’s a reason I’ve been here for six years even with all my injuries. To be a part of our team and the culture that we’ve built here, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” Vanderschaaf said.
What’s next: She has an undergraduate degree in science/interdisciplinary studies with minors in math, physics and leadership. She’ll add a master’s in technical communication later this year.
ELLIE WOERNER
In a nutshell: Her team-first attitude has made her one of the most productive players off the bench in 91 career games over three seasons. Woerner played one season at Portland before joining the Broncos and sat out the 2016-17 season per NCAA transfer rules. She has earned a reputation this season as one of the Broncos’ best on-ball defenders and is averaging 4.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.
Quotable: “Of course you’re going to remember big games and the championships that we’ve won, but it wouldn’t be as special if it wasn’t with these people,” Woerner said.
What’s next: She will graduate this spring with a degree in mechanical engineering and already has signed a job offer to work in Seattle for a company that designs HVACs for commercial buildings.
Note: The stats for the Boise State women’s basketball team do not include Saturday’s game at New Mexico.
This story was originally published February 22, 2020 at 4:00 AM.
