WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – After reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017, the Purdue women's basketball team ensured some veteran experience on its roster for next season as the program confirmed seniors Jeanae Terry, Caitlyn Harper and Abbey Ellis will return for the Boilermakers in 2023-24.
The trio, all of whom started their careers away from West Lafayette, were instrumental in guiding Purdue to a 19-11 record on the year with a 9-8 mark in Big Ten action. Purdue picked up five league wins away from Mackey Arena during the year, including wins over No. 21 Illinois and No. 2 Ohio State. The latter was the program's first AP top-5 victory on the road in program history.
After starting all 62 games over the last two years, Terry will return as the program's all-time leader in assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.93. In two seasons, Terry has already climbed up to 14th in program history with 373 assists. She sits second and third in single-season history with 190 and 183 helpers. Terry became the first Boilermaker in history to average over six points, rebounds and assists and joined Iowa's Caitlin Clark and Notre Dame's Olivia Miles as the only players in the nation to achieve that mark this year.
Terry led Purdue in rebounding for the second straight season, hauling down 227 for a 7.6 per game clip. She was tabbed Second Team All-Big Ten, while her 70 steals on the year earned her a spot on the All-Defensive Team.
"I decided to come back because I wanted to continue to help build this program. To be able to come in everyday and battle with this group of women has been incredible. Personally, I wanted to come back and grow my game on both sides of the floor. I also want more from myself. I have already been in discussing with Coach KG on what my fifth year looks like, and I'm excited to get started." – Jeanae Terry
In her first campaign Harper finished second on the team with 10.4 points per game at a 54.7% shooting clip. The Hartland, Wisc., native was one of eight players in the Big Ten to average double-digit points, while shooting 54% or better. Harper added an outside presence as well, knocking down 17 3-pointers on the year, to finish the year with 16 double-figure outings.
"I want to say thank you to Boiler Nation. Thank you for all the love and support you have shown me and the team this past year. You have welcomed me with open arms, and I am proud to call Purdue home. I am excited to announce that I will be returning for my sixth and final year. I can't wait to see you everyone in Mackey again soon." – Caitlyn Harper
Ellis garnered her second straight All-Big Ten honorable mention nod after averaging 11.2 points per game. The Australian international posted the program's second-highest single-season free throw percentage at 91% last year, while climbing up to second on the career list with an 88.3% clip in West Lafayette. Ellis finished in double figures 15 times with a quartet of 20-point games, including a season-high 29 against SIUE.
"Purdue has a special place in my heart It is a culture of love, support, talent and resilience. I am so blessed for this opportunity to play with amazing groups of young women and be coached by coaches who are willing to do everything they can for me to succeed on and off the court. With this being said, I have decided to take my fifth year and continue my career as a Boilermaker." – Abbey Ellis