Get to Know the returning players for Syracuse women’s basketball

To prepare for the upcoming 2020-21 season, I am highlighting each player on the Syracuse Orange women’s basketball team roster. I have previously previewed the predicted starting line-up, including Emily Engstler, Kiara Lewis, Tiana Mangakahia, Amaya Finklea-Guity, and Digna Strautmane.

In addition to the starting five, Syracuse will welcome back four returners to this year’s squad: Maeva Djaldi-Tabdi, Taleah Washington, Teisha Hyman, and Lauren Fitzmaurice.

#3 Maeva Djaldi-Tabdi

Position: Forward

Year: (Redshirt) Junior

Height: 6’2”

Hometown: Paris, France

High School: Jean Moulin

Bio: Djaldi-Tabdi, a five-star recruit out of France, redshirted her freshman season at Syracuse. The following year Djaldi-Tabdi quickly became the Orange’s go-to sixth man, averaging 8.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per game off the bench. She earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference Freshman Team honors and was twice named ACC Rookie of the Week. She led the team in offensive rebounds (75) and blocks (36), and ranked second in field goal percentage (.542). Last season, Djaldi-Tabdi appeared in every contest and averaged 8 points and 3.5 rebounds.

2020-21 Preview: Some ‘Cuse fans have made the argument that Djaldi-Tabdi has earned a starting spot over Finklea-Guity. It’s unlike Coach Q to switch up his starting five, so I see Djaldi-Tabdi continuing her role off the bench.

Interesting nugget o’interest: Djaldi-Tabdi won a gold medal in 3x3 basketball with France at the 2019 NAOC World Beach Games in Qatar.

Let’s get a look at ya: Djaldi-Tabdi recorded a double-double with 16 points and a season-high 10 rebounds against No. 1 Oregon last year.

#1 Taleah Washington

Position: Guard

Year: Sophomore

Height: 5’7”

Hometown: District Heights, Md.

High School: Rock Creek Christian Academy

Bio: Washington appeared in 29 games last season for the Orange, averaging 3.2 points in 10.7 minutes per contest.

2020-21 Preview: As Washington gains more experience in Coach Q’s system, she will see her role grow. How she impacts the game this year will likely depend on the level of production from the incoming freshman class.

Interesting nugget o’interest: Washington goes by the nickname ‘Noo Noo’ and has a YouTube channel with Fitzmaurice titled ‘Nu n Lo’.

Let’s get a look at ya: Washington tallied a career-high 10 points and four rebounds against Ohio.

#5 Teisha Hyman

Position: Guard

Year: Sophomore

Height: 5’8”

Hometown: White Plains, N.Y.

High School: Woodlands

Bio: Hyman appeared in 23 games last season, making one start, before suffering a season-ending injury. Prior to her injury, Hyman averaged 6.5 points and 2.3 rebounds per contest.

2020-21 Preview: Like Washington, Hyman will compete with the incoming freshman for minutes this season. It will also be interesting to see how successful her recovery from injury is.

Interesting nugget o’interest: Hyman played varsity basketball from seventh grade to her senior year. She racked up over 2,500 career points during that time.

Let’s get a look at ya: In her first career start, Hyman tallied a career-high 16 points and seven steals against Boston College.

#25 Lauren Fitzmaurice

Position: Guard

Year: Senior

Height: 5’8”

Hometown: Mazama, Washington

High School: Liberty Bell

Bio: Fitzmaurice has appeared in six career games for the Orange. In high school, Fitzmaurice tallied over 1,500 total points and was a McDonald’s All-American Candidate. She represented the U.S. on the U19 team at the 2016 United World Games in Austria.

2020-21 Preview: Fitzmaurice will likely have a similar role as her previous three seasons with ‘Cuse.

Interesting nugget o’interest: As mentioned previously, Fitzmaurice and Washington have a YouTube channel titled ‘Nu n Lo’. Fitzmaurice, a communications and rhetorical studies major, is pursuing a career in digital media. Here is a feature CNYCentral did on Fitzmaurice earlier this year.