Council Bluffs, IA – The Iowa Western women's basketball team has added both depth and talent with the addition of 4 players, including one true freshman and three transfers.
Dustie Obah, a 6'0 guard from Brisbane, QLD, Australia will join the Reivers after a successful career in Australia. Obah was a member of the 2018-2019 BQJB U21 women's premiere league, where she averaged 17.6 points per game. She was also part of the 2018 U18 Girls Division 1 State Championship Team, where she averaged 19.4 points per game. During the last season she was selected as the QLD player of the tournament, QLD grand final winner, and state basketball league most valuable player for the year.
What Coach Vande is saying: "Dustie is a versatile player that we are excited to utilize in our system. Dustie can play multiple positions and her ability to score off the bounce or on the perimeter will make her very difficult to guard. Dustie comes from a family of professional athletes and her work ethic and desire to compete is second to none."
Nyah Morris, a 6'0 guard from Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, will join the Reivers aftering competing her freshman year at South Plains College. Morris shot 40% from the field during her freshman season and 36% from the three-point line. She was a standout player during her senior year at Hillcrest Christian College where she served as team captain and was awarded athlete of the year. Morris was also the youngest person to play QBL, which is the premiere league in Australia.
What Coach Vande is saying: "Nyah is an athletic, versatile combo guard that will fit in well with our system and how we like to push in transition. I am impressed with Nyah not only as a player, but as a person. Nyah is an unselfish player and she will uphold our strong team culture."
Britney Epperson, a 6'2 forward, will also join the Reivers as a transfer. Epperson, a native of Australia but also a dual citizen of Indiana, will add strength and size to the roster. During her freshman season at Lincoln Trail College she saw action in 24 games and started in 22 while shooting over 50% from the field. During her senior season in Indiana, Epperson was an all-conference selection, was invited to the Indiana 100 tryouts, and participated in basketball without boarders in New Orleans.
What Coach Vande is saying: "Britney is an incredibly strong post player that will give our inside game a strong presence. Britney comes from a basketball family and has the work ethic and basketball IQ to play at a very high level. Britney is very team oriented and we are happy to have her for her sophomore season."
Ladun Akako is a 5'11 forward transfer originally from London, England. Akako spent her freshman year at NCAA D2 Barry University. Prior to Barry University Akako played for the City of London Academy (CoLA) in the Women's Elite Academy Basketball League (WEABL) and in the Division 1 Women's League. As a senior, she averaged 11.1 points, 7 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 58 percent from the field and 30 percent from beyond the arc. She helped CoLA capture England's 2017 WEABL national championship and was a 2017 Division 1 Women's Club National Champion team member. In 2016 she was selected to represent London at the U17 Basketball England Regional Tournament in which her team was the eventual champion.
What Coach Vande is saying: "Ladun is a long and versatile forward who is defensive minded. Ladun can guard multiple positions due to her athleticism and she uses her length well to rebound outside of her area. Ladun will bring experience and maturity to our group as a positive leader."
