Wright, Fisher, Upshaw Garner ASUN Honors for UCA as Season Near

CONWAY, Ark. — With basketball season just around the corner, the Atlantic Sun Conference has released its Preseason All-ASUN Team, and the Sugar Bears were justly rewarded after the season they had last year.

Central Arkansas claimed three of the team’s spots, while grabbing a superlative as well.

The three Sugar Bears that were named to the team were Randrea Wright, Kinley Fisher and Jade Upshaw. Bree Stephens earned one of the superlative awards, being named Preseason Co-Defensive Player of the Year.

“I’m happy for our team that we had such a deep group of preseason award recipients,” UCA coach Tony Kemper said. “These student athletes and more are deserving of accolades based on their ability and hard work. They look forward to representing Central Arkansas on the court this season.

“Randrea, Kinley and Jade were productive for us last year. They adjusted quickly to a new system and I think they can continue to build on what they accomplished last season. We will rely on them to provide scoring punch and handle most of the ball handling responsibilities, things that they are more than capable of doing.”

Indeed, the trio was responsible for a lot for last season’s team, scoring almost 53 percent of the points, with each of the three averaging double-figures last year. Wright, who averaged 10.5 points per game, shot 49 percent from two-point range, an impressive number for a guard.

She also finished second on the team with 77 assists, providing not just for herself, but also her teammates. Wright consistently showed the ability to impact the game in a number of ways, at various points in the year posting game-highs of 17 points, seven boards, eight assists and five steals.

Fisher blossomed into the ASUN Sixth Player of the Year last season, being handed the keys to the offense on a number of occasions throughout the year. Her ability as a three-point shooter opened up driving lanes for her, and she parlayed it into leading the team with 90 made free throws.

She averaged 11.9 points per game, and finished second on the team with 47 three-pointers. Fisher had four games last year scoring 20-plus, peaking at 24 against North Alabama.

Upshaw, who transferred in from Arkansas State, immediately found a place in Central Arkansas that allowed her to be the creative, aggressive scorer she is. She turned that into leading the Sugar Bears in scoring at 12.2 points per game, field goals with 147, and three-pointers with 59.

Upshaw had the ability to go off at any point, while also staying efficient; seven of her ten games scoring 15-plus were done so on 50 percent shooting or better, and all but one saw her connect on multiple three-pointers. Upshaw was also active on the boards, and her ability to come down with a rebound and take it coast to coast made the Sugar Bears’ transition offense tough to counter.

Stephens claimed the Co-Defensive Player of the Year after leading a Sugar Bear defense that ranked third in the ASUN, allowing 59 points per game. The Aussie was a big reason for that, ranking second in the league in blocked shots and 11th in total steals.

She was one of seven players in Division I to tally at least 45 blocks and 45 steals, and her ability to shut down opposing players was unparalleled in the ASUN.

“We are so happy for Bree, she was an integral part of our team last year, but it felt like we were probably the only ones who really understood her versatility and importance to our team’s success. She draws difficult defensive assignments and impacts the game in a positive way with her length and intelligence. I think she can be even more effective in 2024-25.”

In addition to the individual accolades, the Sugar Bears were also predicted, by both coaches and media polls, to finish second in the ASUN. Last season, UCA won 21 games, 11 of which came in the ASUN, and reached the ASUN Championship game, earning the right to host a WNIT game.

The Sugar Bears return nearly 96 percent of last year’s minutes played, bringing back continuity at every position on the floor. UCA tips off the season on Nov. 4, taking on Hendrix at the Farris Center.