Carbondale Reporter

The Southern Illinois University women's basketball team has signed Gift Uchenna Okeke, a transfer originally from Abuja, Nigeria.

Okeke is a 6-foot-3 forward who will be an incoming junior, transferring from Shih Hsin University in Taiwan.

"Gift is a player with a beautiful soul that loves the game," head coach Kelly Bond-White said. "Her energy is contagious. Her stats and ability to dominate speak for themselves. Her first impact in practice yesterday was rotating from help with a thunderous block on one end, then going up and catching a lob pass at its height, on the other. I'm excited not just for Gift, but the wave of energy that is permeating through our office as this team begins to take full shape."

On the court, Okeke is described as a fierce competitor with a strong touch around the rim. The forward/center contests and changes shots in the lane, can shoot the high post shot, attack off the dribble, and has strength in rebounding.

Okeke has achieved two championship seasons in college prior to arriving at Southern Illinois. The transfer is coming off a season where she was named tournament MVP, Rebound Queen, and Block Queen. Okeke is noted as the first player from Nigeria (or any other country) to uphold these honors in Taiwan.

"While she loved her time in Nigeria and Taiwan, she wanted to continue to play at a high level in a different environment. One of her goals is to become a professional basketball player. Gift has the skill set to do that in the states and beyond. She wants to be pushed to be one of the best ever," Bond-White said. "Our staff could show her the proven development and opportunity to flourish in our system at that position."

Last season, Okeke's top performance came in the championship game where she scored 32 points and grabbed 27 rebounds.

The junior plans to continue studying English Literature at SIU.

Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on Twitter at @SIU_WBasketball, on Instagram at @SIU_WBasketball, and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SalukiAthletics. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store.