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Women's Basketball Adds Three on National Signing Day

by Utah Athletics
Nov 11, 2021

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah's women's basketball head coach Lynne Roberts announced the signing of Naya Ojukwu, Nalani White, and Teya Sidberry to the 2022-23 squad on National Signing Day. The addition of the three talented recruits adds to an already deep Ute squad. 
 
"We're fired up at the three signees we have coming in next year," remarked head coach Lynne Roberts. "All three were highly recruited, we competed with some great programs, and I'm happy they have chosen to be Utes! With a relatively young roster, we love these additions and what they'll bring to our program."
 
Ojukwu comes to the Utes after a successful career at Mountain View High School. Nalani White and Teya Sidberry join the Utes after successful careers at Mater Dei High School and Judge Memorial High School. Ojukwu was named the 2020-21 Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year and averaged 24.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 assists per game as a junior. White, a native of Santa Ana, Calif., Earned second-team all-state honors following the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Sidberry, a Salt Lake City native, was named the 3A Player of the Year, the last two seasons. Entering her senior season, she ranks 8th highest point total in state history with 1,666 points scored.
 
Season tickets for the 2021-22 season are now available. Floor seats are priced at $100 while general admission tickets at $25. Call the Utah ticket office at 801-581-UTIX or visit www.UtahTickets.com.  
 
Quick Hits on Utah Women's Basketball's Signing Class

Naya Ojukwu :: 6-0 :: Forward :: Meridian, Idaho (Mountain View HS)
2020-21 Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year… 2020-21 MaxPreps Idaho Player of the Year… earned 2021 state tournament MVP honors from Idahosports.com… three-time Class 5A All-State honoree… first-team All-5A Southern Idaho Conference selection… averaged 24.2 points, ten rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 1.3 steals and 1.1 assists per game as a junior… led Mountain View HS to two straight Idaho Class 5A state titles… all-state and all-conference player on the volleyball court… named to the AVCA All-American senior watch list… earned first-team 5A Southern Idaho Conference honors as a senior on the volleyball court... daughter of Ginny and Austin Ojukwu.
 
What Coach Roberts Says About Ojukwu: "Naya is one of the most powerful athletes I've ever seen play. She is so strong, has incredible hands, and can jump out of the gym. Her athleticism and power are both traits of elite Pac-12 players, and we anticipate Naya to become an elite Pac-12 player. The Idaho Gatorade State Player of the Year as a junior, and I expect her to have a monster senior year as well. She plans on playing volleyball and basketball at Utah, starting in her sophomore season, with just basketball her freshman campaign."

Nalani White :: 5-11 :: Guard :: Santa Ana, Calif. (Mater Dei HS)
Earned second-team all-state following the 2019 and 2020 seasons… named All-CIF-SS Open Division MVP following the 2021 season… named Boo Williams Silver Bracket MVP in 2021… three-time all-conference academic team… three-time honor roll member… received the renaissance academic award in 2020 and 2021… daughter of Nicole Jackson and Rodney White… has two siblings. 
 
What Coach Roberts Says About White: "Lani (Nalani) is a spark plug of energy – both on and off the court. She brings perimeter athleticism and is a proven winner, having played high school basketball at Mater Dei, one of the nation's premier programs. Lani can attack the rim, shoot the 3, and defend multiple spots. She is filling a much-needed role for our team. I love her energy and can't wait to add it to our already fun group."

Teya Sidberry :: 6-1 :: Forward :: Salt Lake City, Utah (Judge Memorial HS)
2019-20 and 2020-21 3A Player of the Year MVP… set the school record and second-highest point total in a game when she scored 52 points… set the school record for points in a half (31), and points in a quarter (19)… Scored 1,666 points during first three years at Judge Memorial HS, the school record and 8th highest mark in the state… tallied 584 rebounds in a season, the school record… averaged a double-double with 29.6 points and 12.7 rebounds as a junior… member of the Colorado Premier Nike EYBL AAU team from 2019-21… during the summer of 2021 named All-Nike second-team… was a member of the softball team in 2020 and 2021 and ran track in 2019… member of the student council and national society of high school scholars… daughter of Melissa Fulkerson and Tyrees Sidberry… has two siblings. 

What Coach Roberts Says About Sidberry: "Teya is such a smart, savvy, quality human being… and just a fantastic basketball player. Teya has a way of always being at the right place at the right time – both offensively and defensively. She is a strong athlete with a knack for rebounding and defense. She has put up such huge statistics in high school, and it's eye-opening. We love when our local talent chooses to stay home at the U, and we can't wait to get Teya in our program."
 
Follow the Utes!
Fans can follow along during the 2021-22 season on social media (Twitter: @UtahWBB | Instagram: @UtahWBB | Facebook: Facebook.com/UtahWBB). 
 

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