ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - Head Coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson announced her first UCF Women's Basketball signing class. The Knights have signed five recruits to National Letters of Intent.
UCF will add a pair of 6-foot forwards and a trio of guards to its roster for the 2017-18 campaign.
"They are all very, very talented," Coach Abe said. "They're great people. When they signed, they didn't know how good our season was going to be, so that's a compliment to their character. Now they're coming in to a winning program. I think it's pretty exciting for the four of them."
| 2017 UCF Women's Basketball Signing Class |
| Name | Pos. | Cl. | Hometown / High School (Previous School) |
| Masseny Kaba | F | Fr. | New York City, New York/Cathedral HS |
| Sydnee McDonald | G | Jr. | Flint, Mich./Flint Carman-Ainsworth HS (Chipola College) |
| Delphine St-Cyr Robitaille | G | Fr. | Montreal, Quebec/Cegep Edouard Montpetit |
| Ruona Uwusiaba | F | Fr. | Aziaro, Otor-Owhe, Nigeria/Southwest Dekalb HS |
| Lawriell Wilson | G | Jr. | Kenner, La./Warren Easton Charter HS (Tallahassee CC) |
The Knights are coming off one of the best seasons in program history. In her first year at the helm, Coach Abe guided the squad to a 21-12 overall mark that included the program's first-ever win over a ranked opponent. The Knights knocked off then-No. 22 USF for their first victory in Tampa. UCF returns nearly every member of the 2016-17 squad, including All-Conference First Team selection Aliyah Gregory.
| Masseny Kaba |
| F | 6-3 | Fr. | New York City, New York (Cathedral HS) |
Prior to UCF: - 2017 All-Star and MVP of the Catholic Central League
- 2017 Boston Globe Player of the of the Year
- Became a member of the 1,000-point club as a senior
- Two-time state champion at Cathedral High School
- Named Co-MVP of the CCL as a junior
- Scored 41 points in a single game as a sophomore
- Four-year All-Scholastic Boston Herald
- Under Armour national champion with the Boston Showstoppers under Clinton Lassiter
- Intends to major in biomedical sciences at UCF
"We were recruiting Masseny before we came to UCF and had a great relationship with her. She's athletic and a really skilled post player. She represents everything that I want here. Academics are important to her; she wants to be a doctor. She's really family oriented, and in basketball, she's got all of the tools to be really, really good."
-Head Coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson |
| Sydnee McDonald |
| G | 5-11 | Jr. | Flint, Mich. (Flint Carman-Ainsworth HS/Chipola College) |
Prior to UCF: - Named First Team All-Panhandle Conference in 2016-17
- Averaged 14.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg and shot 41.3 percent from the floor as a sophomore
- Saw action in 27 game, earning eight starts and averaged 5.7 ppg as a freshman in 2015-16
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| Delphine St-Cyr Robitaille |
| G | 5-10 | Fr. | Montreal, Quebec (Cegep Edouard Montpetit) |
Prior to UCF: - Two-time Cegep Edouard Montpetit MVP, earning the honor as a freshman and a senior
- Averaged 12 points per game and 3.5 assists per contest during her season campaign
- Led the league in assists as a freshman
- Earned First Team Rookie honors
- Averaged 13 points per game during her freshman season
- Garnered Second Team All-State laurels as a freshman
- Named both the league and team Rookie of the Year
- Competed for the Team Quebec U15 and Team All-Cegep championship squads
- Intends to major in athletic training at UCF
"We were recruiting Delphine before, and when I got to UCF, I immediately offered both her and (Masseny). Delphine was the first one to commit and sign. She's Steph Curry. She can shoot the three, take you off the dribble, is a great passer. She loves the game. She is a combo guard that can do a lot for us. Delphine was a great sign for us. With the loss of (Zykira Lewis), I think she's really going to extend our three-point game. She can really shoot."
-Head Coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson |
| Ruona Uwusiaba |
| F | 6-3 | Fr. | Aziaro Otor-Owhe, Nigeria (Southwest Dekalb HS) |
Prior to UCF: - Named the Region 5A MVP as a senior at Southwest Dekalb
- Earned 5A Honorable Mention honors in 2017
- Was the top rebounder on the varsity squad as a junior
- Grabbed the most rebounds on the junior varsity squad as a sophomore
- Competed for the Georgia Metros under coach Matthew Huddleston
- Has been a member of the Honor Roll since moving to Georgia in 10th grade
- Full name is Ogheneruona Uwusiaba
- Intends to major in civil engineering at UCF
"I really wanted someone who's a true power post. Ruona is tall, strong, super athletic. She's got big hands. She rebounds like a machine; she reminds me a lot of (Tolulope Omokore). Once she gets in the college setting, she's going to be strong and physical like Tolu. She fits the mold. She's family oriented. Academically, she's a really smart kid and wants to be an engineer."
-Head Coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson |
| Lawriell Wilson |
| G | 5-8 | Jr. | Kenner, La. (Warren Easton Charter HS/Tallahassee CC) |
Prior to UCF: - Became the first TCC women's basketball player selected as a First Team NJCAA All-American
- Earned WBCA First Team All-American honors
- Named Panhandle Conference and FCSAA State Player of the Year accolades in 2016-17
- Garnered First Team NJCAA Region 8 All-State recognition in 2015-16
- Named 2015-16 Panhandle Conference Freshman of the Year, First Team All-PC and All-Freshmen Team by the league media; First Team All-PC by the coaches
- Set TCC records for career (1,127), single season (678) and game (39) points
- Was the third-leading scorer in the NJCAA with 21.9 ppg and averaged 6.8 rpg and 5.2 apg
- Saw action in 25 games as a freshman, scoring in double figures in each outing
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