NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion women's basketball and head coach DeLisha Milton-Jones announced the addition of nine more signees to the 2023 recruiting class on Wednesday. Along with fellow newcomer Ivana Nikolova, the group rounds out ODU's recruiting class heading into the 2023-24 season.
"This group of signees is a class of versatility, athleticism, and shooting the basketball," said Milton-Jones. "Being from the high major Division I programs and the top of JUCO ranks, this group has the ability to be special offensively and tenacious defensively. At the end of the day, the quest is to win a championship and we have filled this roster out with talented players to align us with that vision."
De'Shawnti Thomas | 5-10 | Forward | Tulsa, Okla. (Seward County CC)
Thomas spent the past two seasons at Seward County CC, helping the Lady Saints reach the Region 6 Semifinals as a freshman in 2021-22. After averaging 4.0 points per game her first year, she bettered that output to 11.9 ppg and became a primary starter for Seward in 2022-23, making 29 starts in 31 appearances. She shot 33.8 percent from the field, 28.6 percent from beyond the arc and 72.7 percent at the free-throw line this past year. Her other season totals included 241 rebounds (7.8 rpg), 95 assists, 35 steals and 19 blocks. Thomas recorded six double-doubles and scored in double figures 22 times, to include a season-high 25 points in a Jan. 18 win over Pratt CC, 95-86.
Why ODU?
"Because it felt like home and a place that will build my skills."
Milton-Jones on Thomas
"She is a phenomenal two-way player that can play inside and out; Great defender on the wing and interior. She knows how to play the game the right way. Shawnti will bring balance at the three and four positions."
En'Dya Buford | 5-7 | Guard | Memphis, Tenn. (Jones College)
After playing her freshman year at Memphis, Buford spent the 2022-23 season at Jones College, where she earned First Team All-Conference, First Team All-Region 23, NJCAA All-American Third Team, and World Exposure Report All-American Honorable Mention honors. She helped the team capture its seventh-straight Region 23 title and reached the NJCAA Division I Quarterfinals. Buford was the second-leading scorer for the Bobcats, scoring 473 points (17.5 ppg) in 27 games with 26 starts. She shot 47.7 percent from the field, including 34.7 percent from long range, and 78.0 percent at the line. She added 140 rebounds (5.2 rpg), 99 assists, 60 steals and five blocks to her season totals. The Memphis, Tennessee native finished her sophomore season with 23 double-digit scoring performances, including a stretch of 13 games. Her best outing was a 33-point effort in a 93-88 win over Pearl River on Feb. 9.
Why ODU?
"It felt like it was the right place for me. I needed and wanted to be here. Coaches really care about you on and off the court and I'm always around good, positive people. ODU is my home away from home."
Milton-Jones on Buford
"En'Dya is a fierce scoring guard that can score in bunches. She also gets to the free-throw line by creating contact going to the basket; Had a game where she got to the line 18 times. Has a chance to be one of the best scorers in the Sun Belt Conference."
Simone Cunningham | 5-10 | Guard/Forward | Pleasant Grove, Ala. (Shelton State CC)
Cunningham comes to Norfolk from Shelton State CC, where she helped the Lady Bucs compile a 60-6 record in her two years there. Ranked 13th nationally, Shelton State reached the second round of the 2023 NJCAA Division I Championship. The Pleasant Grove, Alabama native led her team this past season in both offensive rebounds (173, 4.9 per game) and total rebounds (340, 9.7 per game). She shot 52.9 percent from the field and 52.5 percent at the free-throw line, netting 326 points (9.3 ppg). Her other season totals included 55 assists, 26 steals and 45 blocks. The recipient of Shelton State's Women's Basketball Hustler Award, she was also named to the ACCC All-North Division Second Team, the ACCC All-Tournament Team, and played in the NJCAA WBCA All-Star Game.
Why ODU?
"On my visit I saw a very encouraging, uplifting family-oriented environment that I wanted to be a part of."
Milton-Jones on Cunningham
"Maya will be one of the best athletes in ODU Women's Basketball History. She's a tenacious rebounder and finisher around the basket. She has a chance to be one of the top forwards in the Sun Belt Conference."
Halima Salat | 5-6 | Guard | Amarillo, Texas (Seward County CC)
Salat played two seasons at Seward County CC, earning Second Team All-KJCCC honors in 2022-23. A starter in all 31 games this past season, she led the Lady Saints with 1.4 steals per game and was second on the team in scoring with 13.7 points per game. Salat shot 36.6 percent from the floor, 36.7 percent from distance, and 80.7 percent at the line. Her other season totals included 426 points, 85 rebounds (2.7 rpg), 56 assists, 43 steals and one block. She scored in double figures 24 times and netted a season-high 30 points in a 95-86 win over Pratt CC on Jan. 18.
Why ODU?
"I chose ODU because I want to be surrounded by people that are going to make me better and push me to be the best that I can be. But most importantly, the coaches and staff were very welcoming and they made me feel at home."
Milton-Jones on Salat
"One of the best 3-point shooters coming from the JUCO ranks. Halima is a guard that can play all three guard spots. She also has a chance to be one of the best 3-point shooters in school history."
Jenny Nkem Womsi | 6-1 | Forward/Center | Libreville, Gabon (Barton CC)
Nkem Womsi played the shortened spring 2021 season at Arizona Western College before spending the past two seasons at Barton CC. The Region 6 Co-Newcomer of the Year in 2021-23, she was named the Player of the Year in 2022-23 while adding First Team All-Region 6 and NJCAA First Team All-American honors. Her efforts on the court helped the Cougars capture their first Region 6 title since 2008. Nkem Womsi started all 34 games she appeared in, shooting 55.5 percent from the floor and 71.4 percent at the free-throw line. Barton's leading scoring and rebounder this past season, her other totals included 509 points (15.0 ppg), 451 rebounds (8.9 rpg), 40 assists, 30 steals and six blocks. She scored in double figures 28 times, finished the season with 25 double-doubles and scored a season-high 25 points twice.
Why ODU?
"Because of the great history behind ODU women's basketball and the amazing coaching staff."
Milton-Jones on Nkem Womsi
"Jenny is another superb athlete who can play the forward and center positions. Comes to ODU as one the top JUCO players in the nation. Has a chance to be an All-Sun Belt player at the center position."
Mimi McCollister | 5-6 | Guard | Athens, Texas (Trinity Valley CC)
McCollister spent her first two seasons at Trinity Valley CC. She was named an All-American Honorable Mention in 2022-23 as she helped the Lady Cardinals capture a Region 14 and conference championship and reached the NJCAA Division 1 Championship Finals, finishing as the national runners up. The Athens, Texas native made 16 starts in 30 appearances and shot 32.9 percent from the floor, 23.0 percent from distance and 62.0 percent at the charity stripe. Her other season totals included 259 points (8.6 ppg), 76 boards (2.5 rpg), 79 assists, 44 steals and four blocks. She had nine games scoring in double digits, dropping a season-best 17 points in an 87-71 victory over Jones College on Nov. 30.
Why ODU?
"Very family oriented and felt just like I had already been here before. I know the coaches have my best interest without even being here and that's number one. A home away from home and that's exactly what I needed."
Milton-Jones on McCollister
"Mimi is a high caliber guard from one of the top JUCO programs in the nation. She is a guard that can play both guard positions and does everything well; from running the team to scoring the ball."
Lanetta Williams | 6-3 | Forward | Memphis, Tenn. (Memphis)
A graduate transfer from the University of Memphis, Williams played in 29 games for the Tigers last season, averaging 12.5 minutes per outing. She finished the 2022-23 campaign with 104 points (3.6 ppg), 74 rebounds (2.6 rpg), three assists, nine blocks and six steals. She grabbed a season-best seven rebounds on Dec. 30 at Temple and scored a season-high nine points in a Jan. 21 home win over the Owls. Her final year in Memphis saw the Tigers finish 22-11 overall and 11-4 in conference play as the team reached the WNIT's Round of 16 for the first time since the 1999 season. Williams was named to the AAC All-Academic Team as a freshman in 2019-20, was on the Dean's List in 2019 and 2020, and graduated cum laude.
Why ODU?
"I love the culture here and the environment."
Milton-Jones on Williams
"Lanetta is a true blessing to have arrived here during her graduate year from the University of Memphis. She is a post player that can play both positions; she can stretch the floor with her consistent jump shot and finish in the post with her elite footwork. With her combination of size and skill, Lanetta has a chance to finish her collegiate career in an outstanding way."
La'Dajah Huguley | 5-4 | Guard | Opelika, Ala. (Chipola College)
Huguley joins the Monarchs after two seasons at Chipola College. Through 25 games and 23 starts during the 2022-23 season, she scored 94 points (3.8 ppg) with 96 rebounds, 91 assists and 46 steals. She finished second on the team with 3.6 assists per game and her 3.8 rebounds per game ranked third. Hugeley scored a season-high eight points five times and pulled down eight rebounds in a 99-38 win over Florida State College at Jacksonville on Dec. 15. As a freshman in 2021-22, Huguley's squad reached the FCSAA State/NJCAA District Tournament Semifinals and make an appearance in the NJCAA National Tournament.
Why ODU?
"After going on my visit, it felt like home, from the coaching staff to the fans. It feels like a genuine place where I can grow and I love the area."
Milton-Jones on Huguley
"Ladajah is a quick, up tempo point guard from the JUCO ranks that will come in and make an immediate impact. Her tenacious defense has changed the outcome of many games at the JUCO level. Her hustle and intensity will bring our fans joy."
Nnenna Orji | 6-2 | Forward | Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (Hawaii)
Orji played in 29 games for Hawaii this past season, averaging 3.7 points and 2.3 rebounds in 11.6 minutes per game. She scored in double-digits three times, to include a season-high 12 points on Jan. 19 versus UC Irvine. She also pulled down a season-high eight rebounds on Feb. 2 against UC Davis. Her season totals included 106 points, 66 rebounds, 15 assists, six blocks and four steals. In her two years at Hawaii, the Rainbow Wahine were back-to-back Big West Tournament champions, defeating second-seeded UC Irvine 59-48 in 2022 and fifth-seeded UC Santa Barbara 61-59 in 2023.
Why ODU?
"Everything felt right!"
Milton-Jones on Orji
"Nnenna brings us championship pedigree, winning two conference titles at the University of Hawaii. She's a versatile big-bodied post player that can play both post positions. Nnenna will come in and make an immediate impact on our quest to win a conference championship."
Women's Basketball Completes 2023 Recruiting Class
