Troy University Athletics
Early Signing Day Sees Two Transfers for Women’s Basketball
11/8/2023 8:08:00 PM | Basketball (W)
TROY, Ala. – Early signing day sees head coach Chanda Rigby and the Troy women's basketball program bring in two transfers ranked in the top 50 for JUCO players by Dan Olson's Collegiate Girls Basketball Report, Adriana Jones and Fortuna Ngnawo Wednesday afternoon.
"We are thrilled to add two more great players to our Trojan family today," Rigby said. "Adding both a guard and a post of their experience and talent level to our roster in the early signing period gets us off to a great start to this next signing class."
Adriana Jones| Guard | 5-6 | Newbern, Ala. | Shelton State
At 5-6, Jones comes to Troy after one complete season under her belt at Shelton State, where she averaged 11.7 points through 35 games. She can shoot from all levels, having a 39.1 shooting percentage from the field, 30.5 from deep and 67.6 from the free throw line.
"I've been watching Adriana play since she was in high school," Rigby said. "She will be one of the fastest, most athletic guards I've ever coached. Her talent, matched with her willingness to be coached, will make her a very special player."
Jones also stands as a true point guard with her passing abilities, dishing out 2.5 assists per game. On the other end, the Newbern, Ala. native swiped away 1.4 steals and grabbed 2.9 rebounds. The then-freshman peaked on Feb. 17 against Coastal Alabama–North when she dropped 41 points on 15-of-21 from the field while netting six 3-pointers. The 41-point performance capped off a 12-game double-digit scoring stretch.
Fortuna Ngnawo| Forward | 6-0 | Bafoussam City, Cameroon | Cochise College
From Cameroon, Ngnawo played 2022-23 as a member of the Cochise Apaches, starting in 33 of 34 games played. The 6-0 forward nearly averaged a double-double on 13.3 points and 9.8 rebounds. Of her 9.8 rebounds, 4.9 came off the offensive glass. She also solidified the paint, rejecting 1.2 shots per game.
"My staff and I saw Fortuna play in the Junior College Top 40 All-Star game this summer," Rigby said. "Of all the great players competing there, she caught our attention by how strong and physical she played in the paint, as well as how aggressive she was rebounding. We are graduating some great post players this year, and we believe Fortuna will fill the need for a post player that will be immediately impactful."
Playing in the post, Ngnawo played efficient basketball, staying down low to shoot 47.9 percent from the field and 67.2 from the charity stripe en route to earning NJCAA Second-Team All-American under Misty Opat. Overall, Ngnawo scored in double-figures on 23 occasions with 14 double-doubles. She went on a span of four double-doubles in six games from Feb. 4 – Feb. 22.
"We are thrilled to add two more great players to our Trojan family today," Rigby said. "Adding both a guard and a post of their experience and talent level to our roster in the early signing period gets us off to a great start to this next signing class."
Adriana Jones| Guard | 5-6 | Newbern, Ala. | Shelton State
At 5-6, Jones comes to Troy after one complete season under her belt at Shelton State, where she averaged 11.7 points through 35 games. She can shoot from all levels, having a 39.1 shooting percentage from the field, 30.5 from deep and 67.6 from the free throw line.
"I've been watching Adriana play since she was in high school," Rigby said. "She will be one of the fastest, most athletic guards I've ever coached. Her talent, matched with her willingness to be coached, will make her a very special player."
Jones also stands as a true point guard with her passing abilities, dishing out 2.5 assists per game. On the other end, the Newbern, Ala. native swiped away 1.4 steals and grabbed 2.9 rebounds. The then-freshman peaked on Feb. 17 against Coastal Alabama–North when she dropped 41 points on 15-of-21 from the field while netting six 3-pointers. The 41-point performance capped off a 12-game double-digit scoring stretch.
Fortuna Ngnawo| Forward | 6-0 | Bafoussam City, Cameroon | Cochise College
From Cameroon, Ngnawo played 2022-23 as a member of the Cochise Apaches, starting in 33 of 34 games played. The 6-0 forward nearly averaged a double-double on 13.3 points and 9.8 rebounds. Of her 9.8 rebounds, 4.9 came off the offensive glass. She also solidified the paint, rejecting 1.2 shots per game.
"My staff and I saw Fortuna play in the Junior College Top 40 All-Star game this summer," Rigby said. "Of all the great players competing there, she caught our attention by how strong and physical she played in the paint, as well as how aggressive she was rebounding. We are graduating some great post players this year, and we believe Fortuna will fill the need for a post player that will be immediately impactful."
Playing in the post, Ngnawo played efficient basketball, staying down low to shoot 47.9 percent from the field and 67.2 from the charity stripe en route to earning NJCAA Second-Team All-American under Misty Opat. Overall, Ngnawo scored in double-figures on 23 occasions with 14 double-doubles. She went on a span of four double-doubles in six games from Feb. 4 – Feb. 22.
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