Ariel Atkins walked off the court of the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri, after Friday’s season-ending loss to 3-seeded UCLA knowing it was the last time she’d don the burnt orange and white she’d worn with such pride over the past four years.
Texas has fallen flat in two seasons now, propelled by freshman big men. After eight months with the burnt orange, the time has already come for the most recent of the two, freshman Mo Bamba, to move on.
Texas forward Mo Bamba declared for the NBA Draft on Tuesday. This marks the second straight year head coach Shaka Smart has produced a one-and-done player.
The Longhorns handled business on the home court of the Frank Erwin Center on Monday night, defeating 7-seeded Arizona State to advance to the Sweet Sixteen, 85-65.
Kianna Ibis could not be stopped. Pick-and-pop jumpers, streaks to the rim, spot-up threes — everything was falling in the Arizona State junior forward’s favor.
