UVA women’s basketball adds seven-player class, including two transfers

UVA women’s basketball coach Tina Thompson has added a 2020-2021 recruiting class including five freshmen and a grad transfer.

“We are so very excited about the 2020 first-year class as well as our other newcomers,” Thompson said. “We have managed to nab a group full of personality, drive, intellect and rooted in work. The addition of this bunch and their abilities will aid us in our efforts to continue moving in a positive direction in regards to our program’s growth.”

The grad transfer is Charlottesville native Emily Maupin, a 6’3” forward who is technically transferring from Liberty, but never played there after sitting out the 2019-2020 season there following a two-year stint at Elon.

At Elon, Maupin, a Covenant School alum, was a third-team All-CAA selection as a sophomore, after a season in which she averaged 11.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.

“Emily is a hometown girl that’s excited to be back home,” Thompson said. “She has experience at the college level and a skill set that will be a good addition to our team. We are happy that Em decided to come back home.”

The incoming class also includes Florida State transfer London Clarkson, who will have to sit out the 2020-2021 season due to NCAA transfer rules.

She will then have three years of eligibility at UVA.

The 6’2” forward played in 25 games at FSU in 2019-2020, averaging 1.2 points and 1.4 rebounds in 7.5 minutes per game.

“We welcome London’s big personality and competitive spirit with open arms,” Thompson said. “She is so excited about joining this team. Her experience will be invaluable to our young crop. She possesses a toughness that is unmatched and does it all with a smile.”

The incoming freshman class includes 6’1” forward Deja Bristol, a 2020 McDonald’s All-America nominee and high-school teammate of current Cavalier Kylie Kornegay-Lucas, another 2020 McDonald’s All-America nominee, 6’3” forward Nycerra Minni, 6-foot guard Kaydan Lawson, the younger sister of current Cavalier Dani Lawson, and Aaliyah Pitts, a 6-foot guard who was the Virginia 6A State Player of the Year at Woodbridge High School in 2018-2019.

Story by Chris Graham