Eagles’ joy at signing of USA star Jada

NEWCASTLE Eagles have signed USA forward Jada Dapaa for the rest of the Women’s British Basketball season.

Dapaa is a rookie professional who started this season in the Ireland Super-League with The Address UCC Glanmire but the 5ft 11in forward will now be plying her trade for Newcastle after making the switch.

She had a stellar five-year NCAA Division 1 USA college career with St Francis University of the Northeastern Conference and Fordham University of the Atlantic Conference.

Her senior year at Fordham saw her average 8.3 points and a team high 8.2 rebounds per game after she transferred from St. Francis following the 2021/22 season.

That final 21/22 season at St. Francis in the NEC had seen her voted the NEC Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player and being selected to the All-First Team Conference.

She led the NEC in rebounding in that season with 12.6 per game which was also good enough to see her ranked third nationally in NCAA Division.

Eagles head coach Matt Newby said: “Jada is a great addition and we feel she will help us significantly at both ends of the court.

“Her journey in collegiate basketball proves she is a robust player and high character individual.”

“Jada is a versatile forward with defensive pedigree and will help significantly in frontline rotation”,

Dapaa herself is clearly looking forward to being part of Coach Newby’s roster.

“I’m excited to join the Eagles and help contribute wins on and off the court for the rest of this season”, said Dapaa.

“Can’t wait for new beginnings in Newcastle!”

The powerful defensive inside presence Dapaa brings will be welcomed not just by Newby but his players and fans alike after another tough day at the office saw the Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles lose to London Lions 10256 on Sunday evening.

Tierra Hodges had 21 points and six rebounds and Lauren Saiki 14 points but Newcastle never recovered from a 31-11 reversal in the first quarter as Lions continued to pull away throughout and swept all four periods.

The Eagles are next in action on Saturday night, at the Vertu Motors Arena against Leicester Riders with a 7.30pm tip-off.