ORLANDO – UCF head coach Sytia Messer has announced her first signees, adding a group of four experienced transfers to the women's basketball team.
"I'm excited about each player that we have coming in," Coach Messer said. "Each one plays a different position and have a ton of winning experience. I'm looking forward to coaching and developing these young ladies."
Taylor Gibson, Rachel Ranke, Morgan Robinson-Nwagwu and Mya Burns will all join the Knights ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.
Taylor Gibson
Sophomore | Forward | 6-2
Upper Marlboro, Md. | Bishop McNamara/Michigan
Taylor Gibson was a member of the Michigan squad that advanced to the Elite Eight in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. She earned a varsity letter during her freshman campaign with the Wolverines.
In high school, she helped Bishop McNamara to its first Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship in 2020 and was a 2021 McDonald's All-America game nominee. She earned all-conference honorable mention in 2019-20, with highs of 21 points and 13 rebounds while helping Bishop McNamara to the No. 1 final ranking from the Washington Post. The Mustangs also ranked seventh nationally by MaxPreps and ESPN. She graduated summa cum laude and was a member of the National Honor Society and Science Honors Society.
Gibson on why she chose UCF:
"I chose UCF because of Coach Messer, her winning mindset and vision for the program. Her success is well known and her style of play fits my skill set. I trust Coach Messer and her staff to develop me into the player I need to be to succeed at the next level. I am looking forward to this next chapter! Go Knights!"
Rachel Ranke
Redshirt Senior | Guard | 6-1
Burnsville, Minn. | Eastview/Kansas State
Rachel Ranke joins the Knights after a decorated career at Kansas State. She finished her career with the Wildcats ranked sixth in career three-point field goals (230) and holds the record career 3-point field goals made by a player 6'0" or taller. She ranked 40th in program history with 1,037 career points and was the third player in program history with 1,000 career points, 300 career rebounds, 200 or more 3-point field goals made and 100 or more steals.
She played in the 2021 USA Basketball Red Bull 3X Nationals and won the 2019 Red Bull USA 3X East Regional. After being named to the 2018 Big 12 All-Freshman Team, she earned 2019-20 Preseason All-Big 12 honorable mention honors. A three-time Big 12 Freshman of the Week, she also garnered the 2018 Waco Tribune Big 12 All-Freshman Team, 2018 Most Improved Award in 2018 and 2019 1st Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade Tammie Romstad Durable Award. Ranke was also named to the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll and Academic All-Big 12 Second Team.
Ranke on why she chose UCF:
"I chose UCF because I wanted to be a part of a winning culture and a great environment. I also wanted the opportunity for my parents to come see every game. I'm excited to start this new era with Coach Messer!"
Morgan Robinson-Nwagwu
Senior | Guard | 5-8
Norcross, Ga. | Norcross HS/Auburn/Gulf Coast State College
Morgan Robinson-Nwagwu was ranked as the No. 28 guard nationally by ESPN HoopGurlz coming out of Norcross High School. She was named first-team all-state and first-team all-metro by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the 7A player of the year and all-Gwinnett County first team by Gwinnett Daily Post.
She played in all 29 games as a freshman at Auburn and made three starts in 14 appearances as a sophomore with the Tigers. Last season, she started all 29 games at Gulf Coast State College, averaging 20.2 points per game while shooting 41.4 percent from the field. She was named FCSAA/NJCAA Region 8 All-Tournament, FCSAA All-State/NJCAA All-Region 8 and All-Panhandle Conference First Team. Robinson-Nwagwu's overall NJCAA statistics placed her first in the NJCAA in free throws (165), fifth in points per game (20.2), sixth in total points (587), and 15th in total field goals (197).
Robinson-Nwagwu on why she chose UCF:
"I chose UCF because I felt it is going to be the right fit for me and I love the campus and environment. I also believe that Coach Messer, with her background and experience, can help me get to where I want to be. She's won big and at the highest levels and knows what it will take to get us to our ultimate goal."
Mya Burns
Senior | Guard | 6-0
North Augusta, S.C. | North Augusta HS/Georgia Southern
Mya Burns appeared in all 82 contests while making 66 starts over the last three seasons at Georgia Southern. She averaged 11.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game as a junior in 2021-22 and led the team with a 78.9 free throw percentage. Burns ranked 16th in the Sun Belt in scoring, fourth in free throw percentage, 12th in three-point field goal percentage and eighth in three-point field goals made. She scored a career-high 31 points at Kennesaw State on December 17 and finished the season with 16 games of double-digit scoring and while also recording six 20+ point games.
Burns was named the South Carolina 4A Region & State Player of the Year at North Augusta High School as a senior in 2018-19. She helped lead the Yellow Jackets to the 4A State Championship three times and was a 1,000-point scorer at North Augusta. Burns was a McDonald's HS All-American honoree. She was named Augusta Chronicle South Carolina Girls Basketball Player of the Year as a senior after averaging 17.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.5 steals and 2.4 blocks per game during her senior season. She chose UCF over Rutgers.
Burns on why she chose UCF:
"I chose UCF because I liked the location and the campus. I believe Coach Messer is used to winning and will keep it going at UCF while making me individually better."
GET THE APP
Never miss any UCF Knights news from your favorite team by downloading the free UCF Gameday app right to your iOS or Android phone. The app provides personalized information for men's and women's teams, scores, schedules, loyalty programs and even breaking news. Click here to download the app now.
