Hot on the heels of the great news that Matt Newby will return to Newcastle Eagles for the 2024/25 season to continue as head coach of the women’s team, the club are delighted to announce his first signing for the forthcoming campaign.
In in a lovely bit of synergy his first signing will wear #1 as Kendall Currence flies in following her graduation from NCAA Division Temple University, the former alma mater of Eagles hall of famer Lynard Stewart. This will be Kendall’s rookie professional season.
The 5’9” guard spent four years at Northeastern University from 2018 to 2022 where she improved her statistics year on year cumulating in her being named to the Colonial Athletic Association All-First time in 2022 after averaging 15.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.
The same year she was named to the Pat Summitt Most Courageous award winner by the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA). An award honouring a player, coach, official, or administrator who demonstrates extraordinary courage reflecting honour on the sport of amateur basketball.
Currence showed tremendous perseverance off the court, overcoming adversity and has undergone more than a dozen surgeries for her cleft lip and palate. Additionally, she overcame three holes in her heart, a heart mummer and a bicuspid aortic valve.
Now after finishing her collegiate career as an Owl at Temple she also earns her first professional contract as an Eagle at Newcastle and is delighted to be named as the Eagles first signing for the 2024/25 season.
“I am excited for a great season that lies ahead and feel blessed to have this opportunity to play for the Eagles,” said Currence, adding.
“I’m looking forward to about playing in the league and getting an opportunity to show what my team and I can do to win.”
Coach Newby is in no doubt that he has started the ball bouncing for Newcastle’s top-flight women’s British basketball with the signing of Currence.
“Kendall is a pedigree scoring perimeter who I feel will bring a great deal to the table when she steps on the floor in an Eagles jersey,” said head coach Newby.
“She has had an exciting skill set and rhythm to her game, which I feel lends itself to European basketball. She is a high character player and excellent role model for younger women in our pathway.
“Having graduated from two prestigious NCAA D1 schools in Northeastern and Temple, I believe she will be integral to our growth as a team and invaluable in terms of our community.”
The first of many to come with pre-season planning continuing at pace. All will be announced at ‘The Launch’ in the Vertu Motors Arena on Friday 6th September when both the women’s and men’s 2024/25 rosters will be introduced.
Tickets for ‘The Launch’ are available from the box office from just £8 per person.
