Bobcats Announce Addition of Two Highly Touted Transfers
4/18/2024 4:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Joining the Bobcats are Portland State transfer Esmeralda Morales, a 5-5 guard from Spanaway, Wash., and New Mexico transfer Hannah Robbins, a 6-foot sophomore guard from Phoenix, Ariz.
Ellen Kreighbaum Head Women's Basketball Coach Tricia Binford has been busy putting the pieces together for an eventful 20th year at the helm of the Montana State program. The winningest coach in Bobcat history announced the addition of two highly touted transfers, Thursday afternoon.
Joining the Bobcats are Portland State transfer Esmeralda Morales, a 5-5 guard from Spanaway, Wash., and New Mexico transfer Hannah Robbins, a 6-foot sophomore guard from Phoenix, Ariz.
Morales is no stranger to Montana State. Last season, she led the Big Sky Conference in scoring averaging 16.5 points per game, while knocking down 87 three-pointers. Morales also led the league shooting 90.3% from the free throw line. For her efforts, she was All-Big Sky First Team, the program's first in four seasons.
"Obviously, we're very familiar with Esme," Binford said. "We were looking for specific complements from a scoring standpoint and she certainly fits that in a variety of ways. Esme is a proven scorer, can create her own shot and create for others. She elevates the play of those around her and is a flat-out competitor."
During her three seasons in Portland, Morales recorded 1,365 points, averaging 15.0 per contest over the course of 91 games. In addition, during her time on the Park Blocks she dished out 287 assists, had 151 steals and pulled down 217 rebounds. The Bobcat faithful will remember her 28-point output to knock MSU out of the first round of the Big Sky tournament during the 2022-23 season. Morales was the 2023-24 Big Sky Preseason MVP pick by the league's coaches. She has one year of eligibility remaining.
Robbins redshirted her freshman season at New Mexico despite being named Mountain West Conference Preseason Freshman of the Year in 2022-23.
Robbins graduated from PHH Prep in Phoenix and was the 28.5 Prep League Player of the Year and a First Team All-28.5 League selection. As a junior, she averaged 16 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks, en route to earning all-conference and All-City Tempe First Team honors.
"Hannah is a long, attack-minded scorer and is great in transition," Binford said. "Her skill set allows her to play multiple positions. Hannah can really fill the stat line with her ability to set up teammates, take advantage of mismatches, and dominate the boards. She is fierce competitor that is disruptive on the defensive end of the court."
Robbins played her freshman and sophomore seasons at Phoenix Desert Vista where she produced 16.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.1 steals, and 2.1 assists per game. She played club ball with Arizona Elite and Arizona Select.
"We're excited to have Esmeralda and Hannah in the program," Binford said. "They are a great fit with our culture both on and off the court."
