Women's Basketball Inks Pair of In-State Signees
6/9/2023 2:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Become First Newcomers in Lambert Era
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida women's basketball is excited to announce Jayla Adams and Tyra Brown as the two newest signings for the 2023-24 season on Friday afternoon. They become the first signees under first-year head coach Erika Lambert.
Adams will be transferring in from George Mason as a redshirt-senior, while Brown comes in from Fort Myers HS as a freshman. Both guards are Sunshine State natives as Adams hails from Daytona Beach, Fla., and played at Spruce Creek HS.
The newest pair of Ospreys will be joining fall signees, Kyla Cain and Alexa Washington, as the new additions thus far.
Position: Guard
Class: Redshirt Senior
Hometown: Daytona Beach, Fla.
Previous School: George Mason
Height: 5-6
Intended Major: Sociology
AT GEORGE MASON
2021-22: Appeared in 28 games, making nine starts as a redshirt sophomore...Led the team in assists with 97…Had 15 games with at least four assists…Recorded a rebound in all but one game and had at least three in 14…Scored eight points, had two rebounds and tied her career-high in assists with seven vs. Bowling Green on Nov. 27…Went 5-for-10 for a career-high 14 points, two 3-point field goals and two rebounds in a game against St. Bonaventure on Jan. 23…Scored eight points, matched her career high in rebounds with seven and had five assists in a win at Davison on Feb. 2.
AT BETHUNE-COOKMAN
2020-21: All Bethune-Cookman athletics were canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
2019-20: Sat out per NCAA transfer rules.
AT FLORIDA ATLANTIC
2018-19: Appeared in 19 games, starting four…Averaged 4.9 points and 2.2 rebounds…Scored nine points in three games - Georgia State, Old Dominion and Michigan State…Had seven rebounds and assists against UAB.
"I chose to be a student-athlete at North Florida to get the chance to compete close to my home turf (Daytona Beach). I also chose to be a part of a program that allows me to grow and work on myself, not only as a student athlete but also as a leader. Being a graduate transfer makes me a veteran athlete and I want to become a great leader to those who look up to me. North Florida has blessed me with an opportunity to do this!"
"Jayla [Adams] brings experience, maturity and competitiveness to our roster. She's a dynamic playmaker who will push the pace on offense and wreak havoc on defense. She'll be a great floor general for us and really has a heart for helping younger players. Jayla is a very talented athlete with a lot left to give and I know she will leave it all on the court for her final season of eligibility. I'm thrilled she chose to finish her career wearing a UNF jersey!"
-- head coach Erika Lambert
Position: Guard/Forward
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Fort Myers, Fla.
High School: Fort Myers HS
Height: 6-2
Intended Major: Engineering/Psychology
"UNF has a great atmosphere overall. The whole athletic department wants the best for each player. I feel this program is destined for greatness and I just thank God that I will be a part of it!"
"As a first-year head coach, I wanted to be very selective about new roster additions. This late in the game it is a unique challenge to find players who can be game changers on the court, as well as great culture kids who will help build a strong foundation moving forward. Tyra [Brown] is both. I feel like we hit the jackpot with her! Tyra's physical prowess and inside-outside versatility are going to present matchup problems for our opponents. Her rebounding ability will be invaluable to our team. She has such a fun personality and Osprey fans are going to love her!"
-- head coach Erika Lambert
Adams will be transferring in from George Mason as a redshirt-senior, while Brown comes in from Fort Myers HS as a freshman. Both guards are Sunshine State natives as Adams hails from Daytona Beach, Fla., and played at Spruce Creek HS.
The newest pair of Ospreys will be joining fall signees, Kyla Cain and Alexa Washington, as the new additions thus far.
Jayla Adams
Position: GuardClass: Redshirt Senior
Hometown: Daytona Beach, Fla.
Previous School: George Mason
Height: 5-6
Intended Major: Sociology
Statistical Breakdown
AT GEORGE MASON2021-22: Appeared in 28 games, making nine starts as a redshirt sophomore...Led the team in assists with 97…Had 15 games with at least four assists…Recorded a rebound in all but one game and had at least three in 14…Scored eight points, had two rebounds and tied her career-high in assists with seven vs. Bowling Green on Nov. 27…Went 5-for-10 for a career-high 14 points, two 3-point field goals and two rebounds in a game against St. Bonaventure on Jan. 23…Scored eight points, matched her career high in rebounds with seven and had five assists in a win at Davison on Feb. 2.
AT BETHUNE-COOKMAN
2020-21: All Bethune-Cookman athletics were canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
2019-20: Sat out per NCAA transfer rules.
AT FLORIDA ATLANTIC
2018-19: Appeared in 19 games, starting four…Averaged 4.9 points and 2.2 rebounds…Scored nine points in three games - Georgia State, Old Dominion and Michigan State…Had seven rebounds and assists against UAB.
Personal
- Daughter of Patricier Tucker and Robert Adams.
- Majoring in sociology.
- Enjoys playing football and creative writing.
Why UNF?
"I chose to be a student-athlete at North Florida to get the chance to compete close to my home turf (Daytona Beach). I also chose to be a part of a program that allows me to grow and work on myself, not only as a student athlete but also as a leader. Being a graduate transfer makes me a veteran athlete and I want to become a great leader to those who look up to me. North Florida has blessed me with an opportunity to do this!"
Coach's Thoughts
"Jayla [Adams] brings experience, maturity and competitiveness to our roster. She's a dynamic playmaker who will push the pace on offense and wreak havoc on defense. She'll be a great floor general for us and really has a heart for helping younger players. Jayla is a very talented athlete with a lot left to give and I know she will leave it all on the court for her final season of eligibility. I'm thrilled she chose to finish her career wearing a UNF jersey!"-- head coach Erika Lambert
Tyra Brown
Position: Guard/ForwardClass: Freshman
Hometown: Fort Myers, Fla.
High School: Fort Myers HS
Height: 6-2
Intended Major: Engineering/Psychology
Statistical Breakdown
- Played varsity HS basketball for all four years and is ranked #46 overall in the state of Florida, according to Prep Girls Hoops.
- During 2022-23 season, she averaged 14.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 3.5 SPG, 1.8 APG and 0.6 BPG in 24 games played.
- Also averaged 13.0 PPG and 9.5 RPG as a junior.
- Averaged double-digit points her final three seasons at Fort Myers HS.
- Put up 14 double-doubles her senior year, which ranks 32nd in Florida.
- Had a season-high 23 points against Port Charlotte and a season-high 19 rebounds against Booker.
- Helped lead team to a 19-7 overall record during 2022-23 season.
- FHSAA 3A State runner-ups during 2019 season.
- 2020: News-Press All-Area honorable mention
- 2021: News-Press All-Area Second Team
- 2022: News-Press All-Area First Team and MVP
- 2023: News-Press All-Area First Team & Girls Basketball Player of the Year, FACA State All-Star Selection, SFABC All-Star Selection, and SWFL vs. South Florida All-Star Selection
Personal
- Her nickname is T-Baby.
- Born on Mar. 4, 2005.
- Daughter of Tasha Johnson and Richard McCoy.
- Plans to major in either engineering or psychology.
- Cousin, Jermaine Taylor, played for the Houston Rockets in the NBA.
- Earned Summa Cum Laude and was honor roll.
- Also played volleyball in high school.
Why UNF?
"UNF has a great atmosphere overall. The whole athletic department wants the best for each player. I feel this program is destined for greatness and I just thank God that I will be a part of it!"
Coach's Thoughts
"As a first-year head coach, I wanted to be very selective about new roster additions. This late in the game it is a unique challenge to find players who can be game changers on the court, as well as great culture kids who will help build a strong foundation moving forward. Tyra [Brown] is both. I feel like we hit the jackpot with her! Tyra's physical prowess and inside-outside versatility are going to present matchup problems for our opponents. Her rebounding ability will be invaluable to our team. She has such a fun personality and Osprey fans are going to love her!"-- head coach Erika Lambert
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