Texas Border Business
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women’s basketball head coach Lane Lord announced on Monday the addition of forward Deborah Ogayemi for the 2022-23 academic year.
Ogayemi comes to UTRGV after spending a couple of seasons at Tyler Junior College where she helped her team to an NJCAA DI National Championship this past season. Ogayemi went on to be named the NJCAA Tournament MVP after averaging 14.5 points and 17.0 rebounds per game while also breaking the tournament record for rebounds.
Ogayemi averaged 10.7 points and 11.7 rebounds in 33 games this past season. Ogayemi led the XIV Region with a 60.1 shooting percentage from the floor while leading the region in rebounds per game on her way to earning All-Region honors.
“We are extremely excited to announce the signing of Deborah Ogayemi from Tyler Junior College,” Lord said. “Deborah comes to us from an extremely strong program lead by Coach Trenia hoard, the reigning Junior College Coach of the Year. Deborah is an extremely physical player who has a gift for rebounding and has the ability to score the ball. She is tenacious, has high character, and will bring great leadership and winning mentality to our program.”
As a freshman, Ogayemi played in 27 games and averaged 8.1. points and 10.1 rebounds per game. Ogayemi led the XIV Region with her 10.1 rebounds per game while also leading the region with a 58.7 shooting percentage.
Ogayemi, originally from Waterford, Ireland, was also a member of the U18 and U16 Irish National Team.
Ogayemi is the daughter of Steve and Sandra and has one brother, Samuel, and one sister, Anita. Ogayemi joins Aaliyah McMillan, Mariam Traore, Mele Kailahi, Tierra Trotter, Zariah Sango, Charlotte O’Keefe, and Ashton McCorry as part of this year’s signing class.
