LaQuinta Jefferson, a finalist for the 2012 WBCA National Junior College Player of the Year Award, will transfer from Jefferson (Mo.) College to MWSU, head women’s basketball coach Rob Edmisson announced on Tuesday. She join junior college transfers Miliakere (Mili) Koyamainavure of Suva, Fiji (Iowa Central CC), Mhykeah Baez of San Marcos, Texas (College of Central Florida), Chelsea Dewey of Gower, Mo. (Hutchinson CC), Sarafina Handy of Flossmoor, Ill. (Kankakee CC) and Mariah Jordan of Gary, Ind. (Pensacola State) along with freshman Olivia Hanson of Fort Smith, Ark. (Northside HS) and Anna Rogers of Greenland, Ark. (Greenland HS) to next year’s squad.
Jefferson, a 5-foot-11 wing, had originally signed with LSU in the summer of 2012. She will have two years of remaining eligibility when she joins the Griffons. She also signed with the University of Kentucky out of high school.
“We are excited to round out our 2014 recruiting class with Jefferson,” said Edmisson. “We believe she will, along with our previous signees add to the future success of our program. We are excited to have her in the Missouri Western family!”
Jefferson, a native of La Vergne, Tenn., averaged a team-high 17.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.9 steals per game for Jefferson College as a sophomore. She led the Lady Vikings to a 31-5 overall record, an appearance at the National Junior College Tournament, and a No. 7 national ranking.
Jefferson combined for 48 points in two games at the Region 16 tournament. She received NJCAA All-Tournament Team honors and earned a spot on the Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Association Junior College All-America team. Jefferson was one of three finalists for the WBCA National Junior College Player of the Year. She scored 38 points to clinch a berth for the Lady Vikings in the NJCAA National Tournament.
Jefferson, a three-year starter at La Vergne High School, was ranked the No. 64 high school prospect in America for the Class of 2010 by ESPN Hoop Gurlz. As a junior she put up 17.4 points per game and helped lead La Vergne High School to a 22-9 overall record. Jefferson was a three-time selection to the Daily News Journal’s All-area team and she was a 2009 Tennessee Sports Writers’ Association All-State recipient.
— MWSU Sports Information —