PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania's head women's basketball coach,
Mike McLaughlin, has announced his recruiting class for the upcoming 2023-24 season. Five young women—Tobi Ademuwagun, Mataya Gayle, Tina Njike, Ese Ogbevire, and Abby Sharpe—will join the Quakers' women's basketball roster this season as freshmen.
"Competitive, skilled, & dynamic are the first three words that come to my mind when I think about this class," McLaughlin said. "With the level of success that they have experienced during their high school careers, I know that they understand what it takes to not only win but to have sustained success. They are the type of players and people that I know the Penn community will wholeheartedly embrace. I can't wait to get to work with this group!"
MATAYA GAYLE
5-7 | Guard
Woodstock, Ga. | River Ridge
High School: Played at River Ridge High School for Jason Taylor … Team captain … 2023 Georgia state champion … Three-time regional champion … Three-time Fall league champion … Three-time Regional Player of the Year … GHSA 6A Player of the Year … GBCA/GACA 6A Player of the Year … Scorebook Live Player of the Year … Metro Atlanta Player of the Year … GPB Sports Player of the Game in state championship … Sandy Spiel Miss. Georgia Basketball … Member of the 2,000-point club and all-time leading scorer for River Ridge, shooting 50 percent from the field … 532 career assists … Played AAU for Southeast All-Stars, FBC Hoopstars, and FBC Blitz … Also ran track for four years, holding school records in the 100m hurdles, 300m hurdles, 4x400m relay, and 4x200m relay … Graduated with honors.
Personal: Daughter of Renae and Rashid Gayle … Is the oldest of 10 siblings … Enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences with a focus in Psychology.
Why Penn? "The incredible feeling that I got when I visited Penn was unlike any other place that I had been to. I immediately loved the coaching staff and clicked right away with the players. It was very clear to me from the start that these were the kind of people and the overall type of team that I wanted to be surrounded by and a part of. I couldn't be more excited to get on campus and get to work!"
Coach McLaughlin on Mataya: "Mataya is a tireless worker. She plays with incredible passion and energy. Coming off a high school State Championship season, Mataya understands the amount of work that is required every day to experience this kind of success. With her speed and quickness along with her ability to score in multiple ways, Mataya will give us great depth at the guard position. She is an absolute sponge who loves the game and lives in the gym- I look forward to getting on the court with her."
ABBY SHARPE
6-0 | Guard
Lafayette Hill, Pa. | Plymouth Whitemarsh
High School: Played at Plymouth Whitemarsh for Dan Dougherty … Team captain … 2022 state champion … 2022 district champion … Three-time SOL champion … Four-time league champion … Two-time First-Team All-State … Two-time First-Team All-Suburban One League … Two-time Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery News All-County … Leading scorer on undefeated 2022 state championship team … Finished career with over 1,000 career points … Played AAU for Lady Runnin Rebels and Comets … Also played volleyball for one season … Senior Class President … Distinguished Honor Roll … Member of National Business Honor Society.
Personal: Daughter of Jessica and Cliff Sharpe … Has two siblings: Casey and Lincoln Sharpe … Enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences.
Why Penn? "I chose Penn because I wanted to surround myself with the best; the best teammates, the best coaches, the best professors, etc. Everything Penn has to offer will help shape me into the best version of myself I can be."
Coach McLaughlin on Abby: "I am extremely excited to have a local Philadelphia player like Abby Sharpe join our program. She comes from nearby Plymouth Whitemarsh where she had a tremendous amount of individual success but more importantly contributed to the success of a team that went on to be undefeated State Champions in 2022. Needless to say, she knows what it takes to be a winner. Her work ethic and desire to learn makes everyone around her better. Her size and length combined with her ability to both shoot the 3 and mid-range jumper will make her a tough matchup at the guard position."
ESE OGBEVIRE
5-7 | Guard
Katy, Texas | Fulshear
High School: Played at Fulshear High School for Dshanna Brown … Team captain … 2023 state champion runner-up … 2023 regional champion … TABC All-State … TABC All-Region … Four-time First-Team All-District … Houston Chronical Player of the Week … Newcomer of the Year … Finished with over 1,000 career points … All-State Academic.
Personal: Enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences.
Why Penn? "I chose Penn because I knew I could reach my full potential as an athlete, a student, and a person. I knew I would be challenged everyday athletically and academically. The coaching staff, players, culture, and campus attracted me to Penn and I'm excited to call this place home for the next four years!"
Coach McLaughlin on Ese: "Ese is an elite athlete who plays the game at next level speed. She has the ball skills and quickness to be able to create for herself and others, making those around her better. On the defensive end, she has the ability to get in passing lanes and defend in the full court. Ese's experience playing for a well-coached high school program will have her prepared to compete every day at the college level."
TINA NJIKE
6-2 | Center
Salt Lake City, Utah | Skyline
High School: Played at Skyline High School for Sam White … Team captain … Three-time First-Team All-State … Three-time First-Team All-Region … Team MVP … Averaged 15 points, 12.4 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks senior year … Finished career with over 1,000 points and 800 rebounds … Played AAU for Natalie Williams Basketball Academy … Also played volleyball for two years … National Honors Society … Won the Eagle Rise award.
Personal: Daughter of Francine Keou and Achille Njike … Enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences.
Why Penn? "I chose Penn because I loved how welcoming everyone was during my visit and loved the competitive nature of the team. In addition, I loved the coaching staff and felt that they could push me to reach my full potential both on and off the court. Lastly, I fell in love with the city of Philadelphia and knew that having the opportunity to do something that I love at one of the top universities in the world was the best thing for me."
Coach McLaughlin on Tina: "Tina is the ultimate competitor. She brings an exciting combination of both skill and athleticism to the post position. Her overall ability to play the game at a high level on both ends of the floor will be a tremendous asset to our program. But what I love most about Tina is her incredible work ethic and passion for the game and eagerness to learn and grow. She is the total package on and off the floor- I know the Penn Community is going to love Tina!"
TOBI ADEMUWAGUN
5-10 | Forward
Houston, Texas | Jordan
High School: Played at Jordan High School … Team captain … Second-Team All-State … First-Team All-District … First-Team All-State Tournament … Offensive MVP … Averaged 21 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks per game … Played AAU for The Hoop Society, Cy-fair Premier, and Team Spaz … Won the Dallas Clash of the Clubs championship.
Personal: Daughter of Paulina and Seun Ademuwagun … Enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences with a focus in Philosophy Politics & Economics.
Why Penn? "I chose Penn because I completely fell in love with the campus and family-like atmosphere. I felt at home as soon as I stepped onto campus. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly. The entire coaching staff made me feel welcomed, safe, and as if I was a part of their family. I am so excited for my next 4 years at this amazing university!"
Coach McLaughlin on Tobi: "Tobi plays the game with tremendous physicality on both ends of the floor. Her versatile skill set combined with her overall strength and power gives her the ability to play inside and out. She has made great strides year after year so I can't wait to for our staff to continue to help her grow and develop!"
#FightOnPenn
