Women's Basketball | 6/10/2019 4:36:00 PM
MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- Barry University head coach Bill Sullivan has a pair of junior college transfers set to bolster the Buccaneer women's basketball roster for 2019-20.
"We are excited to add a pair of junior college transfers to our team who will be immediate impact players for us," Sullivan said. "We like the fact they both have a lot of college and international playing experience. Johanna (Kampp) will strengthen our guard play and Nerea's (Baena) height and skills will help us in the post position."
Nerea Baena, a 6-0 post from Spain via Casper College in Wyoming, and Johanna Kampp, a 5-10 wing from Denmark by way of a pair of junior colleges in Texas, will both be juniors with the Bucs this fall.
"Nerea is a talented post player with a high basketball IQ and superb decision-making skills," Sullivan said. "It was impressive to watch Nerea score 26 points and grab 20 rebounds in one of her games at Casper College. Nerea will be an immediate impact player for us on both ends of the court and we are thrilled she will be wearing a Barry uniform for the next two years."
Baena is reminiscent of former Bucs' star Irene Sanchez. A smart and skilled post player, she can score in a variety of ways. A 52.1 percent shooter, who hit 53.8 percent beyond the arc, she also led the Thunderbirds in free throws. The third-leading scorer (10.9) and second-leading rebounder (7.5) for coach Dwight Gunnare's squad which won back-to-back Region IX North Championships. She also averaged 1.6 assists and nearly a steal per game as the T-Birds went 27-7. She was named to the All-Region IX team and was a Third-Team NJCAA All-Academic Team pick.
"I chose Barry University because it was the best fit for me," Baena said. "I really like the academic part of the university because it will help me in my future career. Also basketball is really important to me because I have loved the game since I was 10-years-old, so I really appreciate the opportunity that they have given me to be part of the team."
"Johanna is a tall shooting guard with plenty of junior college and international experience," Sullivan said. "She has the ability to drive to the basket and her long-range shooting will help us spread opponents' defenses. Johanna is a great addition to our Barry basketball family."
Kampp played at two very successful junior college programs in Texas. As a freshman at Jacksonville College, she helped lead the Jaguars, under head coach Savannah Carter, to a 21-6 record and the school's first-ever ranking (21st) in the NJCAA National Poll. She averaged 4.7 points and shot 38.8 percent from three-point range. As a sophomore, she led the Midland College Chaparrals to a 22-8 mark and a No. 24 national ranking under coach Ron Jones. She started six times in her 30 games, scoring 4.8 points and adding 2.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists. She shot 30 percent from three-point range.
"I chose Barry because it seems like a good fit for me in every way," Kampp said. "It feels like an environment I can flourish in on and off the court, and grow as a basketball player and a person."
Baena and Kampp join the seven returning players on the 2019-20 roster.
