University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Women's Basketball Announces 2025-26 Signing Class
06.11.2025 | Women's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - UNC Asheville Women's Basketball has announced its 2025-26 signing class today (Wednesday, June 11) for the program's second season under head coach Tynesha Lewis.
Nia Green, Jamaria Freeman, Sara Yarnell, Journee McDaniel, Kristen McMillan, Jaidyn Koerdt Clementina Odom, Kamaria Gipson, Taliya Council and Aileen Marquez-Medellin will join the Bulldog roster this upcoming year.
Green joins the Bulldogs from Morgan State University, where she was a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference All-Rookie Team selection. At Hammond High School, she was the Howard County Player of the Year, a Baltimore Sun All-Metro First Team selection, an All-County First Team selection and a Washington Post All-Metro selection.
The Columbia, Md. native is the daughter of Tami Shaw and plans to major in computer science.
From Coach Lewis - "Nia is going to be special. She's a versatile player that can play almost every position on the floor. I'm so excited about the opportunity to coach her."
Freeman comes to Asheville from Fike High School, where she was the Player of the Year in District V. She was also the Most Outstanding Offensive Player, Most Valuable Player of a holiday tournament and Player of the Year in the conference.
The Wilson, N.C. native is the daughter of Jamar Freeman and plans to study criminal justice.
From Coach Lewis - "Jamaria Freeman is from 252 and I've known her since she was in sixth grade. It is a full circle moment to coach her. The only limit Jamaria has is the one she places on herself."
Yarnell comes to Asheville from Hammond High School, being a high school teammate of Nia Green. She was a member of a Maryland state championship team, and was also a 1,000-point scorer and a First Team All-County selection. In the classroom, she posted a 4.0 grade point average and was an honors student and an AP Scholar.
The Columbia, Md. native is the daughter of Kristi and Derek Yarnell and plans to study engineering.
From Coach Lewis - "Yarnell comes from a winning program and joins her former high school teammate Nia Green. She can shoot, pass and handle the ball as well. I look forward to seeing her develop even more."
McDaniel joins Asheville after previous stops at East Carolina and ETSU. She played in 20 games at ECU last season, after coming in from ETSU where she was a 2022-23 SoCon All-Freshman Team selection. Her standout game at ETSU came against Georgia Southern, when she became just the fifth player in program history to make at least seven three-pointers in a game. She shot 41.0 percent from the field and 31.6 percent from beyond the arc as a Buccaneer. In high school she was a two-time state runner-up and All-Conference selection at shooting guard, scoring over 1,000 points for her career. She averaged 15.7 points per game and 8.4 rebounds a game on the basketball court, while also playing midfield on the soccer team.
The New Bern, N.C. native is the daughter of Jeremy McDaniel and Natalie Benjamin, and plans to study child psychology.
From Coach Lewis: "I've been praying for the opportunity to coach Journee since her Farmville Central days. Her work ethic and leadership will be needed this year. She's an athletic, physical, big guard and an exceptional person."
McMillian joins the Bulldogs from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and Hoover High School. She is a three-time state champion, was a member of the All Over the Mountain Girls Basketball Team and was an Alabama-Mississippi All-Star.
The Hoover, Ala. native is the daughter of Kevin McMillan and Marketa and Derrick Colley, and plans to study computer science.
From Coach Lewis: "Kristen McMillan is a tough, hard-nosed forward that can shoot the basketball and put it on the floor. She loves to play defense, which is exciting for me. She's from a winning program in Alabama and I can't wait to coach her."
Koerdt comes to Asheville from Coastal Carolina after stops at Eastern Florida State College and Purdue Fort Wayne. At EFSC, she was a NJCAA Region VIII All-Citrus Conference First Team selection. In high school at Pulaski Academy, she was a three-time All-Conference and All-State selection, along with being named All-Tournament in the state tournament twice. She was a North All-Region selection, the 5A West Underclassmen of the Year, the River Valley Female Player of the Year in 2021 and named to the Lake Area Sports Underclassmen Team in 2020. Off the court she was a NJCAA Academic All-American, as well as a three-time selection to the Dean's List and an AP Scholar.
The Providence, Ark. Native is the daughter of Ryna Koerdt and plans to study business management.
From Coach Lewis: "Jaidyn Koerdt has great energy and enthusiasm. She is not only a great shooter but can also create opportunities for her teammates. I can't wait to see her in a UNC Asheville uniform."
Odom comes to Asheville after stops at Tyler Junior College and East Central Community College. She was a member of both the U-18 and U-20 national team in Great Britain.
The London, England native is the daughter of Gladys Pokuaa.
From Coach Lewis: "Clementina Odom brings a much-needed presence in the paint. She not only rebounds and scores, but she defends like a guard on the perimeter. We're so excited about her expanding her game here at UNC Asheville."
Gipson comes to Asheville after stops at Alabama A&M, South Alabama, UT Arlington and San Diego State.
The Beeville, Texas native is the daughter of Demetria Jefferson and plans to major in liberal studies.
From Coach Lewis: "Kamaria Gipson has no ceiling on how impactful she could be in the Big South Conference. I am so excited about having a chance to coach her."
Council comes to Asheville after stops at East Carolina and North Carolina A&T. In her college career, she has made the Dean's List three times.
The Lumberton, N.C. native is the daughter of Tina Colvin and Steven Council and plans to major in computer science.
From Coach Lewis: "Taliya Council is going to surprise a lot of people next year. She is healthy and ready to impact the Big South Conference. Her length and quickness is going to create havoc on both ends."
Marquez-Medellin comes to Asheville after stops at Morehead State, Florida International and Clarendon College. She was a 2024-25 Ohio Valley Conference Preseason All-Conference selection at Morehead State, after leaving Clarendon College as the school's all-time leading scorer and leading the WJCAC in scoring for two seasons. She was also a three-time All-Conference selection at Clarendon. She spent time at Rabun Gap Nacoochee School and nearby TC Roberson High School, being named a 2019-20 All-Conference selection at Rabun Gap. She was an AAAA All-State selection at Rabun Gap, before also being named to the 2019 Patriot Classic All-Tournament Team. At TC Roberson she was an Asheville Citizen Times Player of the Week in February 2019, while also being named the 2018-19 Offensive Player of the Year and a WMAC All-Conference selection.
The Arden, N.C. native is the daughter of Sandra Medellin and Juan Carlos Marquez. She holds a General Studies degree from Morehead State.
From Coach Lewis - "I'm so excited about Aileen Marquez-Medellin, she finally decided to come home and finish her collegiate career. Her ability to shoot and create makes her a player to watch next year."
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 $12.1 billion. As a state-chartered community bank, First Bank operates 113 bank branches in North Carolina and South Carolina and a nationwide SBA platform. 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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Nia Green, Jamaria Freeman, Sara Yarnell, Journee McDaniel, Kristen McMillan, Jaidyn Koerdt Clementina Odom, Kamaria Gipson, Taliya Council and Aileen Marquez-Medellin will join the Bulldog roster this upcoming year.
Green joins the Bulldogs from Morgan State University, where she was a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference All-Rookie Team selection. At Hammond High School, she was the Howard County Player of the Year, a Baltimore Sun All-Metro First Team selection, an All-County First Team selection and a Washington Post All-Metro selection.
The Columbia, Md. native is the daughter of Tami Shaw and plans to major in computer science.
From Coach Lewis - "Nia is going to be special. She's a versatile player that can play almost every position on the floor. I'm so excited about the opportunity to coach her."
Freeman comes to Asheville from Fike High School, where she was the Player of the Year in District V. She was also the Most Outstanding Offensive Player, Most Valuable Player of a holiday tournament and Player of the Year in the conference.
The Wilson, N.C. native is the daughter of Jamar Freeman and plans to study criminal justice.
From Coach Lewis - "Jamaria Freeman is from 252 and I've known her since she was in sixth grade. It is a full circle moment to coach her. The only limit Jamaria has is the one she places on herself."
Yarnell comes to Asheville from Hammond High School, being a high school teammate of Nia Green. She was a member of a Maryland state championship team, and was also a 1,000-point scorer and a First Team All-County selection. In the classroom, she posted a 4.0 grade point average and was an honors student and an AP Scholar.
The Columbia, Md. native is the daughter of Kristi and Derek Yarnell and plans to study engineering.
From Coach Lewis - "Yarnell comes from a winning program and joins her former high school teammate Nia Green. She can shoot, pass and handle the ball as well. I look forward to seeing her develop even more."
McDaniel joins Asheville after previous stops at East Carolina and ETSU. She played in 20 games at ECU last season, after coming in from ETSU where she was a 2022-23 SoCon All-Freshman Team selection. Her standout game at ETSU came against Georgia Southern, when she became just the fifth player in program history to make at least seven three-pointers in a game. She shot 41.0 percent from the field and 31.6 percent from beyond the arc as a Buccaneer. In high school she was a two-time state runner-up and All-Conference selection at shooting guard, scoring over 1,000 points for her career. She averaged 15.7 points per game and 8.4 rebounds a game on the basketball court, while also playing midfield on the soccer team.
The New Bern, N.C. native is the daughter of Jeremy McDaniel and Natalie Benjamin, and plans to study child psychology.
From Coach Lewis: "I've been praying for the opportunity to coach Journee since her Farmville Central days. Her work ethic and leadership will be needed this year. She's an athletic, physical, big guard and an exceptional person."
McMillian joins the Bulldogs from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and Hoover High School. She is a three-time state champion, was a member of the All Over the Mountain Girls Basketball Team and was an Alabama-Mississippi All-Star.
The Hoover, Ala. native is the daughter of Kevin McMillan and Marketa and Derrick Colley, and plans to study computer science.
From Coach Lewis: "Kristen McMillan is a tough, hard-nosed forward that can shoot the basketball and put it on the floor. She loves to play defense, which is exciting for me. She's from a winning program in Alabama and I can't wait to coach her."
Koerdt comes to Asheville from Coastal Carolina after stops at Eastern Florida State College and Purdue Fort Wayne. At EFSC, she was a NJCAA Region VIII All-Citrus Conference First Team selection. In high school at Pulaski Academy, she was a three-time All-Conference and All-State selection, along with being named All-Tournament in the state tournament twice. She was a North All-Region selection, the 5A West Underclassmen of the Year, the River Valley Female Player of the Year in 2021 and named to the Lake Area Sports Underclassmen Team in 2020. Off the court she was a NJCAA Academic All-American, as well as a three-time selection to the Dean's List and an AP Scholar.
The Providence, Ark. Native is the daughter of Ryna Koerdt and plans to study business management.
From Coach Lewis: "Jaidyn Koerdt has great energy and enthusiasm. She is not only a great shooter but can also create opportunities for her teammates. I can't wait to see her in a UNC Asheville uniform."
Odom comes to Asheville after stops at Tyler Junior College and East Central Community College. She was a member of both the U-18 and U-20 national team in Great Britain.
The London, England native is the daughter of Gladys Pokuaa.
From Coach Lewis: "Clementina Odom brings a much-needed presence in the paint. She not only rebounds and scores, but she defends like a guard on the perimeter. We're so excited about her expanding her game here at UNC Asheville."
Gipson comes to Asheville after stops at Alabama A&M, South Alabama, UT Arlington and San Diego State.
The Beeville, Texas native is the daughter of Demetria Jefferson and plans to major in liberal studies.
From Coach Lewis: "Kamaria Gipson has no ceiling on how impactful she could be in the Big South Conference. I am so excited about having a chance to coach her."
Council comes to Asheville after stops at East Carolina and North Carolina A&T. In her college career, she has made the Dean's List three times.
The Lumberton, N.C. native is the daughter of Tina Colvin and Steven Council and plans to major in computer science.
From Coach Lewis: "Taliya Council is going to surprise a lot of people next year. She is healthy and ready to impact the Big South Conference. Her length and quickness is going to create havoc on both ends."
Marquez-Medellin comes to Asheville after stops at Morehead State, Florida International and Clarendon College. She was a 2024-25 Ohio Valley Conference Preseason All-Conference selection at Morehead State, after leaving Clarendon College as the school's all-time leading scorer and leading the WJCAC in scoring for two seasons. She was also a three-time All-Conference selection at Clarendon. She spent time at Rabun Gap Nacoochee School and nearby TC Roberson High School, being named a 2019-20 All-Conference selection at Rabun Gap. She was an AAAA All-State selection at Rabun Gap, before also being named to the 2019 Patriot Classic All-Tournament Team. At TC Roberson she was an Asheville Citizen Times Player of the Week in February 2019, while also being named the 2018-19 Offensive Player of the Year and a WMAC All-Conference selection.
The Arden, N.C. native is the daughter of Sandra Medellin and Juan Carlos Marquez. She holds a General Studies degree from Morehead State.
From Coach Lewis - "I'm so excited about Aileen Marquez-Medellin, she finally decided to come home and finish her collegiate career. Her ability to shoot and create makes her a player to watch next year."
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 $12.1 billion. As a state-chartered community bank, First Bank operates 113 bank branches in North Carolina and South Carolina and a nationwide SBA platform. 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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