Balance of new talent for women’s basketball

By Alex Valle — Content Editor

After a disappointing 6-24 season for SJSU women’s hoops, the Spartans will be adding four new players to their roster for the 2019-2020 season. 

Kalina Obrey

Freshman Guard/Forward

5-foot-10

Kamehameha Kapalama High School

Obrey is one of the two incoming freshman players that signed to SJSU in November. Obrey was a multi-sport athlete in high school and was recognized as one of the best in the state at both basketball and volleyball. Because of her height and the ability to make a three point shot, Obrey will be utilized a lot on both sides of the court. She will be a terrific fit for the Spartans on the perimeter adding to their outside shooting of 33 percent. Her height allows her to guard numerous positions and makes her a dangerous offensive weapon no matter the height of the defender. 

Shaila Mays

Freshman Guard

5-foot-9

Pinnacle High School

Mays was the other freshman signing in November and could be the best signing for the Spartans. During the 2017-2018 season she posted 11.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.7 steals. This stellar season landed her as the 22nd ranked player in the state of Arizona.

Mays is an outstanding two-way player that is able to execute on every play. She can create her own shot, grab boards over larger defenders and defend the ball handler while also creating turnovers. Mays will be a great addition to the Spartans and should only get better during her time at SJSU.

Tyra Whitehead

Junior Forward

6-foot-3

Wake Forest 

Whitehead played her first two collegiate seasons at Wake Forest where she averaged 5.4 points and 4.1 rebounds. Not being comfortable on the bench, Whitehead maximized her efforts every second she had on the court. During her sophomore season she earned two double-doubles and notched a career-high 23 points in a game. Before college Whitehead attended Cosby High School winning three state championships in a row. During this stretch she was also named First Team All-State honoree.

Irene Chukwudi

Junior Forward

6-foot-2

Barton Community College

Chukwudi started almost every game during her two years at Barton Community College. In her senior season she averaged 7.2 points and 5.8 rebounds on 46.1 percent from the field. Almost every statistical category went up for Chukwudi from her freshman year to her sophomore season.

She will be effective on the glass for the Spartans as she showed in a game against Cowley Community College where she grabbed her career-high 15 rebounds. Considering her experience against college level competition, Chukwudi should see plenty of playing time during the 2019-2020 season.

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