Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles are delighted to announce the arrival of USA forward Jada Dapaa to reinforce their roster 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 5’ 11” 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 3rd nationally in NCAA Division.
Eagle’s Head Coach Matt Newby is very pleased to be able to announce Dapaa as his latest recruit and is looking forward to working with a high calibre player.
“We are very happy to welcome Jada to the Eagles”, said Matt Newby.
“She 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”, Newby added. “I am looking forward to integrating her in to our line up.”
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 102 – 56 on Sunday evening.
Tierra Hodges had 21 points and 6 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, 17th February, at the Vertu Motors Arena against Leicester Riders with a 7:30pm tip-off. The addition of Dapaa to Newcastle’s roster adds an extra dimension to what is an eagerly anticipated game.
