No1: Deas dominates glass in freshman SEC season

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Victorian point guard Bonnie Deas led all freshman guards in rebounding in her first season of American college basketball in 2025-26.

Deas ripped down 288 rebounds averaging 9.0 per game in 32 games for the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Top 10 Freshman Guard Rebounders in 2025-26

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| Rk | Player              | TRB | Season  | Team               | G  | GS | MP  | FG  | FGA | 2P  | 2PA | 3P | 3PA | FT | FTA | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF  | PTS | FG%  | 2P% | 3P%  | FT%  | TS%  | eFG% |
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| 1  | Bonnie Deas         | 288 | 2025-26 | Arkansas           | 32 | 32 | 905 | 116 | 363 |  90 | 257 | 26 | 106 | 68 |  99 |  90 | 198 | 288 |  82 |  49 |   7 |  84 |  92 | 326 | .320 | .350| .245 | .687 | .398 | .355 |
| 2  | Blair Baugus        | 284 | 2025-26 | Middle Tennessee   | 31 | 31 |1077 | 149 | 332 | 139 | 305 | 10 |  27 |100 | 134 | 117 | 167 | 284 |  53 |  59 |  28 |  92 | 107 | 408 | .449 | .456| .370 | .746 | .516 | .464 |
| 3  | Kaiya Rain Tucker   | 230 | 2025-26 | Siena              | 28 | 27 | 599 |  93 | 208 |  92 | 203 |  1 |   5 | 40 |  56 |  80 | 150 | 230 |  37 |  37 |  38 |  52 | 101 | 227 | .447 | .453| .200 | .714 | .484 | .450 |
| 4  | Aziyah Farrier      | 225 | 2025-26 | Stephen F. Austin  | 34 |  0 | 702 |  81 | 157 |  79 | 136 |  2 |  21 | 30 |  48 |  70 | 155 | 225 |  34 |  31 |  63 |  61 |  80 | 194 | .516 | .581| .095 | .625 | .539 | .522 |
| 5  | Milan Brown         | 195 | 2025-26 | Wake Forest        | 31 | 31 | 781 | 114 | 262 | 106 | 243 |  8 |  19 | 42 |  74 |  66 | 129 | 195 |  81 |  32 |   6 |  91 |  46 | 278 | .435 | .436| .421 | .568 | .468 | .450 |
| 6  | Fliss Henderson     | 190 | 2025-26 | Columbia           | 27 | 25 | 785 |  75 | 201 |  69 | 161 |  6 |  40 | 33 |  54 |  65 | 125 | 190 | 101 |  42 |  11 |  92 |  69 | 189 | .373 | .429| .150 | .611 | .417 | .388 |
| 7  | Delainey Miller     | 187 | 2025-26 | Santa Clara        | 33 |  7 | 627 |  92 | 228 |  82 | 188 | 10 |  40 | 63 | 101 |  57 | 130 | 187 |  43 |  24 |  20 |  57 |  61 | 257 | .404 | .436| .250 | .624 | .466 | .425 |
| 8  | Skylar Durley       | 186 | 2025-26 | Nevada             | 31 | 31 | 993 | 147 | 363 | 144 | 334 |  3 |  29 | 70 | 100 |  38 | 148 | 186 |  71 |  28 |   7 | 110 |  63 | 367 | .405 | .431| .103 | .700 | .447 | .409 |
| 9  | Ella Pelletier      | 182 | 2025-26 | Stonehill          | 30 | 22 | 833 | 112 | 279 |  82 | 175 | 30 | 104 | 52 |  68 |  65 | 117 | 182 |  50 |  32 |   5 |  69 |  49 | 306 | .401 | .469| .288 | .765 | .491 | .455 |
|10  | Macie Phifer        | 181 | 2025-26 | Middle Tennessee   | 31 | 31 |1068 | 124 | 285 |  82 | 168 | 42 | 117 | 62 |  83 |  49 | 132 | 181 |  43 |  32 |  30 |  73 |  91 | 352 |  --- | ----| ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
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Despite receiving other college offers, her connection with the Razorbacks program was immediate.

"I just fell in love with the Razorbacks. I loved the college, the campus, the coaching staff, the way they did things on court," Deas told Bec Cole on a It's A Cole World.

"For me, after my visits, it was a no-brainer with Arkansas."

Deas, who was a development player with the Sydney Flames in WNBL25, was a key star for the silver medal-winning Australian Gems at the 2025 FIBA World Cup, alongside USC Class of 2026 commit Sitaya Fagan, under now Flames head coach Renae Garlepp.

Bonnie Deas — In-Depth Performance Analysis (Arkansas 2025–26)

Position: Guard
Height: 175 cm
Hometown: Frankston, Victoria
Pathway: Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence → SEC basketball at Arkansas

Deas produced one of the more unusual statistical guard seasons in the SEC, combining elite rebounding with inefficient scoring and high defensive activity. Her profile was not a traditional perimeter creator – instead a hybrid guard–rebounder / defensive disruptor whose impact fluctuated heavily based on shot selection and offensive role.

Season Snapshot

• Games: 32 (all starts)
• Points: 10.2 ppg
• Rebounds: 9.0 rpg
• Assists: 2.6 apg
• FG: 32.0%
• 3PT: 24.5%
• FT: 68.7%
• PER: 15.7
• Win Shares: 1.5

Key Accomplishments (Arkansas 2025–26)

• Started all 32 games for Arkansas in the 2025–26 NCAA Division I season
• Averaged a double-digit scoring season (10.2 points per game)
• Produced an elite rebounding season for a guard (9.0 rebounds per game)
• Ranked 5th in the SEC in total rebounds (288)
• Ranked 6th in the SEC in rebounds per game (9.0)
• Ranked 4th in the SEC in defensive rebounds (198)
• Finished top-10 in the SEC in total rebound percentage (15.5%)
• Ranked 6th in defensive rebound percentage (21.4%)

For a guard, these are elite glass-work numbers in one of the toughest conferences in women’s college basketball.

• Recorded 49 steals across the season (top-20 in the SEC)
• Logged multiple high-steal games, including a six-steal performance vs Georgia
• Demonstrated elite guard rebounding production, including several double-digit rebound games
• Produced a season-high 16 rebounds vs Kansas City

• Season-high 25 points in opening game vs Louisiana Tech
• Multiple double-double performances across the season
• Recorded a seven-assist game vs Kansas City
• Logged several games with 10+ rebounds and multi-steal contributions

• Played 902 total minutes, showing strong durability and conditioning
• Maintained a consistent starting role in a major Power Conference (SEC)
• Operated with a top-20 usage rate in the conference (24.5%)

Role & Usage

Offensive Role

Deas operated with a moderate usage rate (24.5%), ranking mid-pack in the SEC. However:

• Took 363 field goal attempts (17th)
• Ranked 19th in 2-point attempts (257)
• Turnovers relatively high (84 — 13th)

This shows she was trusted to create and finish possessions, but efficiency did not match volume, which is not out of character for a freshman guard.

Defensive / Intangibles Role

Her statistical footprint shows she:

• Was a defensive rebound anchor in transition defence
• Was an aggressive point-of-attack defender
• And had high foul involvement → high physical engagement

She functioned as a possession stabiliser rather than a pure scoring guard.

Elite Guard Rebounding

This is the single most significant trait of Deas’ season.

Key Indicators

• 21.4% Defensive Rebound Percentage — 6th in SEC
• 9.7% Offensive Rebound Percentage — solid for perimeter player
• Multiple games with double-digit boards (14, 15, 16)

What This Means On Tape

• Strong anticipation off long misses
• Physical first contact – boxes out bigger wings
• Relentless pursuit mentality
• Transition ignition after securing the ball

She consistently ended opponent possessions, a high-value defensive outcome.

In modern analytics language, this equates to: “Guard-generated possession advantage.”

Few guards nationally produce near double-digit rebounds per game – this is WNBA-translatable.

Scoring Efficiency

Despite strong volume, efficiency was below SEC guards.

Shooting Profile

• 32.0% overall FG
• 24.5% from three
• 35.5% eFG
• Frequent high-attempt, low-conversion nights

Shooting struggles:

• 2-16 vs SMU
• 2-15 vs Missouri
• 1-9 vs Florida
• 0-7 vs Southeastern Louisiana

These games significantly suppressed her offensive rating impact.

Shot Selection Indicators

• Heavy reliance on pull-ups / contested drives
• Low rim finishing percentage
• Limited catch-and-shoot rhythm
• Three-point attempts often early-clock

She played like a primary option without primary-option efficiency and this defined her season.

Playmaking & Ball Security

• Assist percentage: 18.7% (mid-tier SEC)
• 2.6 assists per game
• Capable passing bursts (7 assists vs Kansas City, 7 vs Missouri)

However:

• Turnovers relatively high given scoring inefficiency
• Handle under pressure inconsistent
• Decision speed fluctuates vs elite defensive teams

She profiles more as a secondary creator / connective passer rather than a true lead guard.

Defensive Activity & Disruption

Deas’ defensive production extended beyond rebounding:

• 49 steals (18th SEC)
• Multiple 3–6 steal performances
• High foul count reflects aggressive defensive style

Defensive Strengths

• Active hands in passing lanes
• Strong chest positioning on drives
• High motor across possessions
• Switchable onto wings

Defensive Risks

• Gamble frequency → foul trouble
• Over-help rotations
• Late recovery on shooters

Net effect: Positive disruption but volatile defensive efficiency.

Performance Trends Across Season

Early Season (Non-Conference)

• Higher scoring efficiency
• Several impact all-around games
• Strong rebounding consistency
• Offensive confidence high

SEC Conference Stretch

• Efficiency dropped significantly
• Arkansas team struggles amplified pressure
• Shot volume remained high
• Rebounding and steals remained elite

Late Season

• Occasional efficiency spikes (Ole Miss, Georgia)
• Still glass dominant
• Offensive identity not fully stabilised