Run The Jules 2.
Welcome back to Crimson Quarry’s 2024-25 Indiana women’s basketball player preview series. Today, we’re looking at sophomore guard Julianna LaMendola.
The Story So Far
LaMendola began her collegiate career as a fringe rotation player and appeared in 30 of Indiana’s 32 games last year. The 6-1 Coppell, Texas, product averaged 1.8 points, and 1.9 rebounds in 9.5 minutes per outing as a frosh.
LaMendola played often during the nonconference portion of Indiana’s schedule but saw her time on the floor drop as the Hoosiers entered Big Ten play.
Thanks to both production and necessity, however, the 2023 Texas Gatorade Player of the Year earned a bigger role in the second half of the season. LaMendola played at least 15 minutes in three of Indiana’s final six regular season games and appeared in all four of the Hoosiers’ postseason contests.
Offense
LaMendola played wing last year and usually subbed in for starting guards Yarden Garzon and Sydney Parrish.
After tuning in to the Hoosiers’ overseas games last summer, many fans expected LaMendola to be a volume 3-point shooter. She was lights out from the perimeter in Greece but didn’t end up shooting much last year, hitting just five triples on 22 (.227) attempts.
Not the greatest figure, especially on the nation’s best 3-point shooting team, but less than one attempt per game is nothing. LaMendola was never the focal point of Indiana’s offense and only took more than four shots in a game twice last year.
With the departure of leading scorers Mackenzie Holmes and Sara Scalia, there will be more opportunities for LaMendola to create offense last season. Expect sizeable increases in her assists (22) and points (54) totals this year.
Defense
LaMendola is a physical defender whose special talent is drawing charges. That alone got her on the floor last year.
LaMendola rebounds well and has the length to cover both guards and forwards. Foul trouble is a legitimate issue but it got better as last season went on.
Outlook
I expect a lot of run for Jules this season. There were a few “freshman moments” last year but she earned head coach Teri Moren’s trust in conference play.
From the outside, it seems that LaMendola’s a good candidate to be the team’s next vocal leader and will be ready to get extended minutes off the bench in 2024-25.