As Duke basketball fans continue to wait for the upcoming season, the Blue Zone is here to break down film from the new additions to both the men’s and women’s teams. First up is talented forward Jenessa Cotton:
Jenessa Cotton will be a much needed front-court addition to Duke women’s basketball this upcoming season. Listed at 6-foot-two, Cotton has played at the highest level of the youth women’s basketball circuit the last few years, facing some of the highest end competition in high school basketball during her time at Mater Dei. Last summer, the Orange, Calif., native excelled in the Nike EYBL league as her team won the championship. Needless to say, Cotton will be a major boost for the Blue Devils in the 2024-25 season.
Coach Kara Lawson’s squad saw inconsistent forward play last year, primarily from the freshmen duo of Jadyn Donovan and Delaney Thomas. Admittedly, Donovan was a major defensive presence and a strong rebounder, while Thomas played a pivotal role in Duke’s home win against rival North Carolina. However, the pair often failed to score consistently throughout the season, an issue Lawson will certainly hope Cotton can alleviate. Let’s look into what Cotton brings to the table for the Blue Devils.
First, Cotton’s ability to score the ball near the basket stands out. From both sides of the rim, she can easily dribble either into a post move or jump stop into a short floater. Moreover, Cotton has a knack for drawing contact, as her drives and post plays often end up with her shooting free throws. Duke’s opponents should struggle to find defenders who can guard her one-on-one. Watch below as Cotton skillfully finishes through contact.
The second elite aspect of Cotton’s offensive game is her jump shot. Whether a catch-and-shoot opportunity from the elbow, a top-of-the-key three, or an off-the-dribble mid-range jumper, Cotton’s shooting skills threaten to devastate defenses from everywhere on the court. Despite her tall stature, the Mater Dei product handles the basketball well and has a strong ability to create her own shot. Combining her strong inside game with a consistent jump shot will give defenses limited options to limit her production. In the clip below, look how Cotton swishes the ball into the basket from the corner.
Lawson will surely be glad to have such a talented scorer join the Blue Devils after last season’s offensive struggles. Returning guards Ashlon Jackson and Reigan Richardson oftentimes felt like the only true offensive threats, which made game-planning against Duke relatively easy. Of course, Lawson prides herself on having a strong defense, so Cotton must learn to hold her own on the other end of the court; she will not be allowed to just be a scorer. Fortunately, Cotton is already an adept shot blocker. What's more, the California native often follows up a blocked shot by running down the floor for easy fast break points, as seen in the clip below.
The Blue Devils had a Final Four level defense last season, but offensive struggles prohibited them from advancing past the third round of the NCAA Tournament. The tape on Jenessa Cotton is eye-opening: She promises to be a 6-foot-2 forward who can score at all three levels, while still being a plus on the defensive end. Cotton was an ESPN top-100 recruit for a reason, and the tape backs that up. It’s now just a question of whether her game translates to the next level.
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