University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Women's Basketball Announces Two Signees for 2024-25
11.08.2023 | Women's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - UNC Asheville women's basketball has announced two signees for its 2024-25 recruiting class, announced today (Wednesday, Nov. 8) by head coach Honey Brown.
Deb Orianegbena out of Nigeria is a standout athlete at Victory Christian Center School, both on the basketball court and the track. She has been named a two-time SPAA All-Conference selection on the basketball court, while also posting a state championship and a state runner-up finish during her high school career. She has also been named an All-State selection, awarded the Most Improved Athlete for basketball and named an Above and Beyond Player of the Week in 2023.
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"I'm very happy Deb is joining our family, said Coach Brown. "She is a post player who seems to keep growing! Deb has a strong work ethic and a willingness to train to be the best she can be for her family back in Nigeria. I know she has made them proud today! Deb's ability to run the floor, scoring around the rim, and her rebounding is what stood out to us the most. I'm looking forward to getting to work with her this summer!"
On the track she is a two-time long jump state champion, as well as a member of a two-time state championship 2x200 relay team. She has finished runner up in the long jump once and is also a two-time All-Conference selection for girls cross country. She finished runner-up in the 400-meter state championship race, and has also won a state championship in the 4x200 relay. She has been the MVP for girls cross country, and also a three-time Christian Character Award winner. She has earned a runner-up finish in the state championship in the 200-meter dash, and also been named the Most Improved Athlete for cross country. In the classroom, she was an honor roll student, and a STEAM high school participant.
Orianegbena chose Asheville because "it felt like a home away from home."
Raina McGowens is also a dual-sport athlete, excelling in both basketball and track at Wren High School. McGowen led Wren to a state championship and was a 2023 Anderson Independent-Mail Player of the Year. She is a four-time All-Region selection, a two-time AAA All-State selection and has been named to the Upstate All-Area Team twice. She has scored over 1,600 points so far in her career.
"Raina is a winner and I'm so excited she is a Bulldog," said Coach Brown. "I love that she has a tremendous work ethic and isn't afraid of challenges. Raina is a combo guard, a great athlete who is a three-level scorer. Raina has won a lot of games and has some impressive stats in her career in points, three-pointers and assists. The McGowens family know the game as coaches and her brothers play professionally, so she has learned from great ones. Bulldog fans are really going to enjoy watching her play!"
On the track, she has been named an AAA All-State selection and also earned All-Region honors in her first year in the sport. She has competed in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays, along with the 400-meter run.
McGowens chose Asheville because "I really love the positive environment and coaching staff."
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Deb Orianegbena out of Nigeria is a standout athlete at Victory Christian Center School, both on the basketball court and the track. She has been named a two-time SPAA All-Conference selection on the basketball court, while also posting a state championship and a state runner-up finish during her high school career. She has also been named an All-State selection, awarded the Most Improved Athlete for basketball and named an Above and Beyond Player of the Week in 2023.
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"I'm very happy Deb is joining our family, said Coach Brown. "She is a post player who seems to keep growing! Deb has a strong work ethic and a willingness to train to be the best she can be for her family back in Nigeria. I know she has made them proud today! Deb's ability to run the floor, scoring around the rim, and her rebounding is what stood out to us the most. I'm looking forward to getting to work with her this summer!"
On the track she is a two-time long jump state champion, as well as a member of a two-time state championship 2x200 relay team. She has finished runner up in the long jump once and is also a two-time All-Conference selection for girls cross country. She finished runner-up in the 400-meter state championship race, and has also won a state championship in the 4x200 relay. She has been the MVP for girls cross country, and also a three-time Christian Character Award winner. She has earned a runner-up finish in the state championship in the 200-meter dash, and also been named the Most Improved Athlete for cross country. In the classroom, she was an honor roll student, and a STEAM high school participant.
Orianegbena chose Asheville because "it felt like a home away from home."
Raina McGowens is also a dual-sport athlete, excelling in both basketball and track at Wren High School. McGowen led Wren to a state championship and was a 2023 Anderson Independent-Mail Player of the Year. She is a four-time All-Region selection, a two-time AAA All-State selection and has been named to the Upstate All-Area Team twice. She has scored over 1,600 points so far in her career.
"Raina is a winner and I'm so excited she is a Bulldog," said Coach Brown. "I love that she has a tremendous work ethic and isn't afraid of challenges. Raina is a combo guard, a great athlete who is a three-level scorer. Raina has won a lot of games and has some impressive stats in her career in points, three-pointers and assists. The McGowens family know the game as coaches and her brothers play professionally, so she has learned from great ones. Bulldog fans are really going to enjoy watching her play!"
On the track, she has been named an AAA All-State selection and also earned All-Region honors in her first year in the sport. She has competed in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays, along with the 400-meter run.
McGowens chose Asheville because "I really love the positive environment and coaching staff."
About Women's Athletics Presenting Partner First Bank
First Bank is the banking subsidiary of First Bancorp and is headquartered in Southern Pines, North Carolina, with total assets of approximately $12.4 billion. As a state-chartered community bank, First Bank operates 118 bank branches in North Carolina and South Carolina. Since 1935, First Bank has taken a tailored approach to banking, combining best-in-class financial solutions, helpful local expertise, and technology to manage a home or business. First Bancorp's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "FBNC." Visit our website at www.LocalFirstBank.com. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.
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