INDIANAPOLIS – Second Team All-BIG EAST selection Tori Schickel highlights the frontcourt for Butler, but head coach Kurt Godlevske will also use Kaela Hodges and Shae Brey to protect the paint in the upcoming 2017-18 season. Rounding out the group is 6-4 center Ashanti Thomas who joined the program after spending her first two years at Penn State. Thomas will sit out due to the NCAA transfer rule.
 
#2 Kaela Hodges
6-0 Senior
Odell, Illinois
Pontiac Township
 
Kaela Hodges is entering her second season with the Bulldogs. She averaged 1.6 points per game last year, averaging nine minutes of playing time. During her time at Wabash Valley, Hodges led the team in scoring during the 2015-16 season by averaging 13 points per game. She was just one board shy of averaging a double-double, as Hodges also averaged nine rebounds per game.

"Kaela had a great fall, and I think her confidence has grown because of that. She has shown an aggressive attitude which is great because she is someone that we need to get productive minutes out of."
 
#23 Shae Brey
6-0 Sophomore
Altoona, Wisconsin
Eau Claire Regis
 
Shae Brey is coming off a solid first season with the Bulldogs. She appeared in all 31 games, making 10 starts. Brey pulled down 115 rebounds on the year, 25 of which came on the offensive glass. The versatile forward scored a season-high 11 points in the win over Bradley, logging a season-high 39 minutes of action. She ended last season with 103 total points. 

"Shae has a high ceiling and is really starting to grow as a collegiate player. She has length and the ability to handle the ball. She showed us last year that she can defend and also get points around the basket. Her game is always changing and evolving."
 
#32 Ashanti Thomas
6-4 Junior
Lexington, Kentucky
Lafayette
 
Ashanti Thomas will sit out this season due to the NCAA transfer rule. She spent her first two seasons at Penn State playing for the Nittany Lions. Thomas averaged 3.7 points and 3.1 rebounds per game during her sophomore season. She scored a career-high 11 points against #3 Maryland and matched that scoring total later in the year in a game against Michigan.
 
"Ashanti will give us a huge post presence and a rim protector. I think she has a chance to be a high-level pro. We are thrilled with the opportunity to coach her because she can change a game in so many ways."
 
#34 Tori Schickel
6-1 Junior
Evansville, Indiana
Mater Dei
 
Tori Schickel was named team captain before her sophomore season and she lived up to that title. Schickel led the Bulldogs and the BIG EAST conference in rebounds averaging 11.7 per game. She was named to the BIG EAST All-Tournament Team last year after stellar performances against Xavier and Creighton. The 6-1 forward led the BIG EAST in double-doubles with 15 and ranked 23rd in the NCAA. Schickel logged 1,098 minutes last season, the fourth-highest amount of time on the court recorded by any Bulldog in a single-season. She also broke the Butler school record for most rebounds recorded in a single-season with 364.

"I think Tori is the best post player in our league so we clearly have very high expectations for her. She will continue to be a force for us and put up good numbers."