logo
Breakout HBCU WBB star transfers to ACC

Breakout HBCU WBB star transfers to ACC

Miami Herald09-05-2025
Morgan State forward Naya Ojukwu is on the move. After a breakout season in the MEAC, the 6'1" redshirt freshman has committed to the University of California, bringing her game from an HBCU program to one of the Power 4's newest members in the ACC.
Ojukwu averaged 17.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per game for Morgan State during the 2024–25 season in just 15 appearances. Her efficiency and dominance in the paint helped her earn second-team All-MEAC honors. Despite missing several games, she shot nearly 48% from the field and quickly became one of the conference's most impactful players.
Originally from Idaho, where she was the 2020-21 Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year and MaxPreps Idaho Player of the Year, Ojukwu began her career at Utah before transferring to Gonzaga. As a freshman at Utah, she played in four games, averaging 5.3 minutes, 3.3 points, and 2.3 rebounds per game. After receiving a hardship waiver from the NCAA, she transferred to Gonzaga as a true freshman, appearing in nine games. She totaled 11 points, nine rebounds, three steals, and two blocks in 56 minutes before transferring again, this time to an HBCU.
However, she found her rhythm at Morgan State and delivered on her potential. Her time at the HBCU allowed her to lead, develop, and showcase her skills on a national level. That growth caught the attention of the University of California, which is reloading its roster as it prepares to enter the ACC.
Her departure is a significant moment for Morgan State women's basketball, which recently saw longtime head coach Ed Davis Jr. retire after more than a decade leading the program. Ojukwu's move continues a growing trend of elite HBCU talent earning opportunities in major conferences through the transfer portal.
As she transitions to the next chapter of her career, Ojukwu represents the level of talent developing within HBCU programs like Morgan State. Her success underscores the growing visibility of HBCU women's basketball and the impact players from these programs can have at every level of college athletics.
The post Breakout HBCU WBB star transfers to ACC appeared first on HBCU Gameday.
Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

ACC Coach Predicts Bill Belichick Will Reach Conference Championship
ACC Coach Predicts Bill Belichick Will Reach Conference Championship

Yahoo

time11 hours ago

  • Yahoo

ACC Coach Predicts Bill Belichick Will Reach Conference Championship

ACC Coach Predicts Bill Belichick Will Reach Conference Championship originally appeared on The Spun. Bill Belichick has been the talk of the ACC since taking the job at North Carolina last December and many are eagerly awaiting his UNC debut — including his fellow coaches. Speaking to reporters at the ACC Kickoff on Wednesday, Pittsburgh's Pat Narduzzi spoke on his expectations for the six-time Super Bowl champ in his first year and it sounds like they're pretty high. "I'll be shocked if he doesn't have success," Narduzzi said. "I don't have a crystal ball. I'm no genius over here, but he's a heck of a football coach. But it takes players and it takes coaches. It takes a program together. It takes everybody moving in the same direction." "I expect them to be in the championship game against Pitt this year. You got Bill Belichick, you better be, right?" the coach added. Finding success in the ACC in Year 1 could be a challenge. But if anyone's up for it, it's Bill Belichick. Despite all the noise surrounding his personal relationship with Jordon Hudson this offseason, the 73-year-old seems singularly focused on getting the Heels back to their winning ways on the football field. North Carolina has a schedule that bodes pretty well for a potential College Football Playoff appearance now that its expanded to 12 teams. The Tar Heels face their first test with a home game vs. TCU on Sept. Coach Predicts Bill Belichick Will Reach Conference Championship first appeared on The Spun on Jul 23, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.

Where does UNC quarterback Gio Lopez land in On3 Sports' 2025 ACC QB rankings?
Where does UNC quarterback Gio Lopez land in On3 Sports' 2025 ACC QB rankings?

Yahoo

time13 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Where does UNC quarterback Gio Lopez land in On3 Sports' 2025 ACC QB rankings?

Don't be shocked if you barely recognize anyone on UNC's football roster this coming season. North Carolina replaced its entire defensive line through the transfer portal, plus added a few key skill players via the same route. Arguably the Tar Heels' most impactful addition is South Alabama transfer Gio Lopez, who'll compete with Max Johnson for their starting quarterback opening. Lopez thrived last year for the Jaguars: 2,559 passing yards, 18 passing touchdowns, 465 rushing yards and seven more scores, but he'll make the leap to a Power Four program this season. The ACC is deep with quarterbacks in 2025 – and Lopez is highly-valued amongst that list. In On3Sports' ranking of the Top 10 ACC quarterbacks, Lopez slots in at seventh. "Bill Belichick's biggest free agent acquisition of the offseason is an exciting lefty, who also drew attention from SEC schools, when he decided this spring to leave South Alabama," Andy Staples wrote. "But those schools intended to develop Lopez as a potential 2026 starter, and North Carolina wanted him to take over right away." Eli Holstein, who slots in just behind Lopez, threaded UNC's defense in Chapel Hill last year. CJ Bailey, just one spot ahead of Lopez, helped NC State continue its long winning streak against North Carolina in 2024. Cade Klubnik should be the ACC's top quarterback – and one of the country's best. Darian Mensah transferred in from Tulane, Carson Beck played last year at Georgia, Kevin Jennings led SMU to its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance in 2024, plus Haynes King returns for his sixth college football season. Johnson broke his leg in the Tar Heels' 2024 opener at Minnesota, paving the way for Conner Harrell to start. Jacolby Criswell shined and helped overcome Harrell's ineffectiveness, but Criswell is now at ETSU and Harrell at Charlotte. Lopez is all but guaranteed to start during Bill Belichick's first year as a college football coach. We'll see who Chapel Bill decides on as we quickly approach Week 1. Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions. This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Gio Lopez tabbed seventh in On3 Sports' ACC quarterback rankings

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store