NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion women's basketball head coach DeLisha Milton-Jones announced on Tuesday that she has rounded out the Monarchs’ 2024-25 roster with a 10-player recruiting class.
“The 2024-25 ODU women’s basketball signing class will bring forth a new level of excitement for our fans because the caliber of players will allow everyone to continue to ride the wave of excitement behind the current state of women’s basketball,” said Milton-Jones. “Our fans can expect more made three-point shots, higher scoring games, and of course our trademark of tenacious defense. Be sure to buy your season tickets because you will be in a for a show!”
The group includes five transfers from NCAA Division I programs and two JUCO All-Americans with three players combining to win four Texas state championships.
Camryn Hill | Gr. | 6-0 | Guard/Forward | Dallas, Texas (Hampton)
Played two seasons at Oral Roberts before transferring to Hampton. Hill was named the Lady Pirates’ MVP for the 2023-24 season after leading the team in scoring (388 points, 14.4 ppg), three-pointers (31), free throws made (87) and blocks (21). A Third Team All-CAA selection and Second Team HBCU Division I All-American, Hill scored 20 or more points eight times during her senior season. She set a new career high of 26 points with five threes against Long Island on Nov. 25, then bettered that effort with 30 points at College of Charleston on Feb. 2.
Milton-Jones on Hill
“A versatile player that can play the three and four positions, whose inside out game makes her a valuable piece to this year’s rotation. She has the capability of scoring in bunches.”
Jadyn Atchison | So. | 6-1 | Guard | Cedar Hill, Texas (Colorado)
Atchison played in 14 games for the Buffaloes this past season, averaging 1.4 points and 1.1 rebounds per outing. Her best outing of her freshman season saw her net eight points with five rebounds in a win over Le Moyne on Nov. 8. Atchison went to Cedar Hill High School, where she was a two-time TGCA 6A All-State and two-time TABC 6A All-Region selection and a three-time First Team All-District honoree. She also earned a spot on the THSCA Super Elite 6A State Team, eclipsed 1,000 career points, and was a McDonald’s All-American nominee. She was ranked 15th in the 2023 Premier Basketball Report Texas Player Top 100 list.
Milton-Jones on Atchison
“A big, long athletic guard who can shoot consistently from the perimeter and attack driving to the basket. Excited about having three years to develop a Power 5 transfer from the University of Colorado who was ranked 15th in the 2023 State of Texas Premier Basketball Report.”
Simaru Fields | Jr. | 5-6 | Guard | Gulfport, Miss. (Gulf Coast CC)
Fields completed her sophomore season at Gulf Coast CC in 2023-24, earning NJCAA Third Team All-American honors after helping her team go 23-5 overall and capture the NJCAA Region 23 Championship. She started 27 of 28 games and led the Bulldogs in scoring with 400 points (14.3 ppg), three-pointers (56), and steals (77) and was tied for first in assists (93). Her freshman campaign saw the team reach the Region 23 Semifinals and she was selected to play in the NJCAA Top 40 All-Star Game last summer in Atlanta. Fields was named to the Sun Herald All-South Mississippi Team three straight years while at Gulfport High School, adding Sun Herald Player of the Year honors as a junior. As a senior, she averaged 18.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.0 steals.
Milton-Jones on Fields
“A quick, athletic guard that can play all three guard spots. She’s capable of scoring in bunches. A former Third Team JUCO All-American and selected to the NJCAA Top 40 event that will give us consistent scoring on the perimeter.”
Sarai Estupiñan | Sr. | 5-5 | Guard | Cedar Park, Texas (UTSA)
Comes to ODU after spending this past season at UTSA. She was a two-time First Team All-District selection and added All-State Tournament Team honors while at Cedar Park High School, helping the Lady Timberwolves win the 2020-21 Texas 5A State Championship. Estupiñan started off her collegiate career ay St. Mary’s (Texas), averaging 2.6 ppg with eight steals and eight rebounds in 10 games during the 2021-22 season. She then transferred to Tallahassee CC and garnered Second Team All-Panhandle Conference honors in 2022-23. She led TCC in scoring with 13.0 ppg and finished the regular season in second place for Region 8 in free throw shooting (.811).
Milton-Jones on Estupiñan
“True point guard and floor leader; A crafty guard who can score on all three levels and will make an immediate impact for our program at the point guard position.”
Nisaa Muhammad | Fr. | 5-10 | Guard | Dallas, Texas (DeSoto HS)
In her time at DeSoto High School, she helped the Eagles capture back-to-back Texas 6A state championships in 2021 and 2022 with a runner-up finish in the 2023 state championship. Muhammad was named the District 11-6A Freshman of the Year in 2020-21 and earned Third Team All-District honors in 2021-22 and 2022-23. The 2023-24 season saw her earn 6A First Team All-State honors and she was also selected to the TABC All Star Game. DeSoto competes in the highest classification in the state of Texas, was listed ninth in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 rankings, and posted a 28-6 record in 2022-23. Her father Reginald Muhammad played at SMU from 1985-90 and her older sister Amina is a sophomore forward for the Texas Longhorns. Muhammad was ranked 50th on the 2024 Premier Basketball Report Texas Player Top 100 list.
Milton-Jones on Muhammad
"High level high school prospect at one of the most winningest programs out of Dallas, Texas, Desoto High School; was ranked 50th in the 2024 State of Texas Premier Basketball Report. Will come in and make an impact for our program at the point guard position."
Kelsey Thompson | Jr. | 5-10 | Guard | Mobile, Ala. (South Alabama)
Thompson started in 20 of the 28 games she played in at USA this past season and was the leading scorer for the Jaguars with 335 points (12.0 ppg). She also owned the team highs in free throws made (88) and assists (68) and added 126 rebounds (4.5 rpg), 30 steals and four blocks to her season totals. Thompson eclipsed 20 points three times, to include a 25-point versus Arkansas State and a 27-point effort at Texas State on Feb. 3. She was named the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year in 2022-23 and was a six-year letterwinner at Davidson High School. Thompson was a two-time First Team Coastal Alabama selection and scored 1,500 points with the Warriors.
Milton-Jones on Thompson
“Big time signee who’s a former Freshman Player of the Year in the SBC. She’s a Power 5 level player that will be looked upon to be a lead guard. Another three-level scorer that can score in bunches and also defend at a high level.”
Marie Kenembeni | Jr. | 6-2 | Forward | Younde, Cameroon (Angelina College)
Kenembeni made 23 starts in 24 games during her sophomore season at Angelina College. She led the Roadrunners on the glass with 211 rebounds (8.8 rpg), was the second-leading scorer with 378 points (15.8 ppg), and added 28 assists, 17 steals, and a team-best 44 blocks to her season totals. Her team went 22-10 on the year and reached the Region 14 Semifinals. Kenembeni scored in double figures 20 times and recorded eight double-doubles. She scored 20 points with 14 rebounds in a Nov. 3 win over Western Gulf College, had 20 points with 11 rebounds in a Jan. 31 win at Coastal Bend College, and netted 25 points with 13 boards in a Feb. 10 win at Kilgore College. Kenembeni earned NJCAA Region 14 First Team All-Region honors in 2022-23 and 2023-34, was named a Third Team JUCO All-American selection in 2022-23, and was the Region 14 Player of the Year in 2023-24.
Milton-Jones on Kenembeni
“Tall, long athletic post who can score on the inside and out with her 3-point range. Also, she’s a Second Team JUCO All-American that will make an immediate impact with her versatility.”
Mariah Clayton | Fr. | 5-10 | Guard/Forward | Mesquite, Texas (Duncanville HS)
Clayton was named the MVP of the 2024 6A State Championship final after scoring 19 points with nine rebounds to help Duncanville High School capture the title. A two-time First Team All-District honoree and District Offensive MVP, she added Newcomer of the Year, All Region and All-North Texas Third Team honors. She scored over 1,000 points and had over 500 rebounds in her time with the Pantherettes and was listed 17th in the 2024 Premier Basketball Report Texas Player Top 100 rankings.
Milton-Jones on Clayton
“Big time high school prospect out of the state of Texas. She’s a Texas 6A state champion and MVP; was ranked 17th in player rankings in the 2024 State of Texas Premier Basketball Report. A hard-nosed gritty player who can score the ball and defend at a high level.”
Hama’ya Fielder | Jr. | 5-8 | Guard | Philadelphia, Miss. (Pearl River CC)
Fielder made 22 starts in 32 games at Pearl River CC this past season and helped the Wildcats to a 27-5 overall record. The team reached the NJCAA Region 23 Semifinals and made an appearance in the NJCAA Division I Championship tournament. Her team’s second-leading scorer, she tallied 317 points (9.9 ppg) with a team-high 80 threes made. Her other totals included 100 rebounds (3.1 rpg), 36 assists, 52 steals and three blocks. Fielder scored in double figures 16 times, to include a season-high 23 points in a win versus Andrew College on Nov. 11 and a 20-point effort in a win at Jones College on Feb. 29.
Milton-Jones on Fielder
“Every team needs a shooter and Hama’ya is that. Comes from a top JUCO program, Pearl River CC to where they played in the national tournament. Excited to have her electrify the crowd with her shot making abilities.”
Sarah Hammack Fitzgerald | Gr. | 6-3 | Forward | Chesapeake, Va. (Campbell)
A four-year letterwinner at Campbell, Hammack Fitzgerald appeared in 30 games for the Camels in 2023-24. Her season totals included 92 points (3.1 ppg), 48 rebounds (1.6 rpg), 16 assists, nine steals and two blocks and she converted 13-of-16 (.813) free-throw attempts. She finished with 14 points, five boards, one block and two steals in a season-opening win over N.C. Wesleyan on Nov. 6 and scored 12 points with three rebounds in a win against UNCW on Feb. 9. Hammack Fitzgerald was a three-time First Team All-Conference performer and four-year captain at Atlantic Shores Christian, helping the Seahawks capture four regular season and conference tournament titles. She was named to the VISSA All-State Second Team in 2018 and 2020 and earned her league’s MVP award in 2020.
Milton-Jones on Hammack Fitzgerald
“Homegrown, big, physical post player who has 3-point range. Sarah will help shore up a deep post core. Her versatility will make an immediate impact.”