The Texas Tech Lady Raiders have added a Big 12 proven talent to the team in the form of 5'11 combo guard Denae Fritz, transfer from Baylor with two years of eligibility remaining. Prior to her time with the Bears, Fritz was named to the All-Big 12 Freshmen team in 2023 while averaging 8.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 blocks across 31 starts for the eventual Big 12 Tournament Champion Iowa State Cyclones.
The Tennessee native is one of the best to ever do it in the Volunteer State, winning 2021 Miss Tennessee Basketball and runner up for the same award in 2020. Fritz surpassed over 2,000 career points during her high school tenure while also breaking her school's rebounding record finishing with over 1,100 boards. At 5'11 her size and strength allows her to play numerous positions, something her high school coach echoed.
She has the ability to defend and play five different positions,” West said in an article with the Des Moines Register. “As a coach, you go into it thinking, ‘OK, I’m recruiting this kid as a one, I’m recruiting this kid as maybe a wing, maybe this kid as a stretch four.’ Well, you’re not recruiting Denae. You don’t have to label her because she can do so many things.”
This swiss-army-knife personality of hers has more than shown through thus far in her college career and it's what makes Fritz such an intriguing add for the Lady Raiders. She joins an ever growing group of versatile guards with size, giving her an opportunity to be a primary ball handler while also sliding over seamlessly into other positions when the run of play or on-floor personnel pushes her there. It will come down to chemistry and comfort in the role but wooooweeeee the puzzle in theory is a very fun one to think about.
The toughness, skill and HOOPER fans can see in these short clips is what makes Fritz such an enjoyable athlete to watch play the game. Talent certainly shines through, but doing the dirty work and making the winning plays is what defines Fritz as a player. It's this mindset that has made her a winner at every level including college where making the NCAA Tournament every year is all she knows, most recently reaching the Sweet 16 with Baylor this past season.
“To me, it’s like, who wants it more, me or the other person....I feel like when it comes to me or somebody else, I’m gonna go get it.” - Denae Fritz, Iowa State Daily
Born in Iowa. Raised in Tennessee. Undoubtedly West Texas Tough by heart, welcome home Denae. 8-0-Fritz has arrived.
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