Most important addition to Purdue women's basketball? How about Amiyah Reynolds
The consensus top 50 player at South Bend Washington redshirted last season after a foot injury in high school but will play a key role for the Boilermakers
Four transfers came from outside the program, three freshmen arrived through the traditional recruiting process, but the biggest addition to the Boilermakers might have been on the roster last season.
Let’s explain.
Coach Katie Gearlds’ team will feature eight players who didn’t see action for the program during the 2023-24 season, including those seven newcomers. It leaves one more addition.
That’s Amiyah Reynolds.
The star from South Bend Washington redshirted last year after suffering a torn ligament in her left foot toward the end of her senior season. In the 16 months following the serious injury and intense rehabilitation, Reynolds is a key player in this season’s success.
The 6-foot combo guard played on the scout team during the final stages of last season, giving the consensus top 50 player as a senior in high school a jumpstart into her first collegiate campaign.
“She has the knowledge of a coach in the sense of the way she plays and the way she can elevate her game and make people around her better,” Gearlds said. “She understands all that stuff. She’s been in the system and knows what we’re trying to do and knows what practices look like, knows what travel looks like. She’s got an advantage there.”
It was a difficult season for Reynolds, who could only sit and watch before being released for practice in mid-January.
“It has not been the most fun year of my life, sitting out,” she said during the season.
Since arriving on campus last summer, Reynolds spent most of the offseason in a protective boot. She’s built up her endurance over time and hasn’t experienced any complications with her foot, other than dealing with soreness and “other things that came with literally not playing basketball for over a year.”
Reynolds receives the first opportunity to run the point guard spot as summer workouts are underway, and the European trip in August will allow her to ease into her role.
While the temptation is high to put Reynolds on the floor and watch her skillset take over, Gearlds and her staff must keep an eye on one of the team’s most talented players.
“We have to monitor her,” Gearlds said. “We want to make sure we don’t throw her to wolves this summer, and by December, she’s worn out. We want to make sure we’re doing this the right way with her.
“I don’t know where Amiyah was ranked, and I don’t know if that matters, but she was really pretty good coming out of high school. I expect her to be pretty good for us in the next four years.”
Reynolds hadn’t committed to Maryland when Gearlds was put in charge of the program in September 2022 but continued to recruit her, even though she was all but set to sign with the Terrapins.
She did sign but changed her mind and after her older sister, Mila, decided to transfer from Maryland following her freshman season, the pair landed at Purdue. Their younger sister, Kira, is a 2025 Boilermaker commitment.
Once Amiyah was released from her National Letter of Intent, Gearlds picked up the recruiting again and secured a commitment, even though she wouldn’t be available as a freshman.
A healthy Reynolds probably would’ve helped the Boilermakers avoid a losing record last season, but knowing she has four full years of eligibility will help push the program forward.
“She’s very capable,” Gearlds said. “I’m excited for her. You talk about a kid that’s going to be hungry. She hasn’t played in two years. That’s part of our job, making sure we manage her during her return to play.
“She also brings an attitude, a little swagger. I think she has that. I think (freshman) Jordy Poole has that. I think (transfer) Reagan Bass has that. Amiyah, she knows she’s pretty good.”
As Amiyah played more and more with the scout team, Mila saw “old Amiyah” returning to form. The passes. The smooth mid-range jumper. The ballhandling.
But what stands out to Mila is her sister’s toughness and what she’s endured for more than a year to get back on the court.
“There’s been a lot of little things she’s had to go through in high school,” Mila said. “She missed a few games because of injuries. At the end of the day, she’s just tough. That’s my opinion, but she’s got it.”
