Women's Basketball Finalizes '24 Signing Class

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida women's basketball releases its remaining signees to its 2024 signing class, as announced by head coach Erika Lambert on Tuesday afternoon.

Grace Hunter and Jazmine Spencer transfer in from Northern Illinois and Jacksonville State respectively as senior players, while Nia Brown comes in from Daytona State College as a junior. Anja Ekström and Sydney Pettis each come from two-year colleges as sophomores, as the group is wrapped up with a pair of freshmen in Jasmynne Gibson and Lauren Bell.

The class is rounded out with five transfer players and two freshmen signees to make up for seven of the nine total newcomers this upcoming season. They will join November freshmen signees, Nicole Carreno and Jamisyn Stinson, as well as seven returning players, to make up the Osprey squad for 2024-25.

"With each addition to our 2024 signing class, I have gotten more and more excited about the possibilities for next season! When you take over a rebuilding situation, the obvious priority in recruiting is simply to get better," said Lambert. "We have really honed in on signing players who fit our offensive system, match up well in the ASUN, carry themselves with high character and buy into our vision for the future of UNF Basketball."

"Three major objectives for this group were to add more size, more scoring ability and more winning experience," continued Lambert. "I want to thank my coaching staff for working tirelessly to accomplish this with our nine 2024 signees! We are bringing talented players and fantastic families into our Osprey program. Together with seven returners, our '24-25 team will be a very competitive squad with a lot of depth."

Jazmine Spencer

Position: Guard
Class: Senior
Hometown: Bartow, Fla.
Previous School: Jacksonville State
Height: 5-6
Intended Major: Digital Media Production

Statistical Breakdown
Averaged 13.1 minutes per game, while averaging 5.3 PPG at Jacksonville State in 2023-24...shot 32% from three and 87% from the FT line...made seven starts this past season...spent two seasons at Hillsborough CC in Tampa, Fla...named an NJCAA Division I All-America Honorable Mention selection, the first such honor in program history, after an illustrious 2022-23 campaign, in which she led the nation in scoring...averaged 26.3 points per game, had four 40-plus point games, and set the HCC single-game record by scoring 50 points against Indian River State on Feb. 20...shot 37.4% from the field for the Hawks as a sophomore and knocked down 30.1% of her three-point attempts...added 5.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.1 steals per game in 2022-23...averaged 18.9 points per game as a freshman on a 40.1% clip from the field...connected on 33.3% of her treys and had 3.0 rebounds, 2.8 steals, and 2.3 assists per contest in 2021-22.

Personal
Attended Winter Haven HS in Bartow, Fla., and Hillsborough Community College for two seasons before Jacksonville State...daughter of James and Shanarda Spencer...one of six siblings in her family...born on Feb. 21, 2003...plans to major in digital media production.

Why UNF?
"I wanted to be closer to home and I've always wanted to come to North Florida since I came to the summer camps in middle school."

Coach's Thoughts
"Simply put - Jazmine [Spencer] is a bucket. This was a no-brainer sign for us because we want to score more points and Jaz is a natural scorer! She's a combo guard who loves to be in the gym, loves to compete and loves to win. We're happy to bring Jaz back to Florida for her senior campaign."
-- head coach Erika Lambert

Nia Brown

Position: Forward
Class: Junior
Hometown: Middleburg, Fla.
Previous School: Daytona State
Height: 6-1
Intended Major: Marketing

Statistical Breakdown
Finished the 2023-24 season averaging 8.6 PPG and 9.6 RPG...second team all-conference at Daytona State...finished her senior HS season with 11 double-digit scoring performances, second in the state in blocks (second conference, seventh nationally), second in the state in defensive rebounds (second conference, fourth nationally), second in state in total rebounds (second conference, 23rd nationally), and fourth in state in rebounds per game (third conference, 45th nationally)...two-time district champion and first team all-conference...scored 31 points and brought down 19 rebounds for career-high marks in high school...surpassed 1,000 points scored her senior year.

Personal
Attended Orange Park HS in Jacksonville, Fla., and Chipola CC before Daytona State...daughter of Tracy and Harold Brown...cousin, Daryl Countryman, played football at Liberty...born on Dec. 11, 2003...plans to major in marketing.

Why UNF?
"I chose UNF because of the family atmosphere and how much they really cared about each other."

Coach's Thoughts
"Nia [Brown]'s biggest strength is her versatility. She is a four-player who can score with her back to the basket, beat defenders off the bounce and also shoot the three. She can guard multiple positions too. I think it's really special to have a hometown kid on your team and we're proud to bring Nia back to Jacksonville!"
-- head coach Erika Lambert

Jasmynne Gibson

Position: Forward
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Apopka, Fla.
High School: Colonial HS
Height: 6-1
Intended Major: Sport Management

Statistical Breakdown
McDonald's All-American nominee out of high school...finished her senior season on one of the top high schools in Florida with impressive record of 27-4...loss in the state title game to powerhouse Dr. Phillips, 53-46...had 13 points in her final high school game...averaged 8.7 PPG and 7.1 RPG in her final HS season...scored over 1,000 points in her four years.

Personal
Attended Colonial HS in Orlando, Fla...also ran track during high school...daughter of Kelvin and Kimberly Gibson...father, Kelvin, played football at Florida and brother, Jayden, plays football for Oklahoma...born on June 2, 2006...plans to major in sport management.

Why UNF?
"I chose UNF because I feel it's a good fit for me, not just in athletics, but also academics. It's not too far from home, which is what I wanted, and the coaching staff and environment seems like a good fit for me."

Coach's Thoughts
"Jasmynne [Gibson] was a steal for us! She's a 6'1" forward with next level athleticism, who will impact our team's production on both ends of the court. Jas can beat everyone sprinting the floor, take the ball strong to the basket, jump out of the gym for rebounds and wreak havoc on defense."
-- head coach Erika Lambert

Grace Hunter

Position: Guard
Class: Graduate
Hometown: Monroeville, Ind.
Previous School: Northern Illinois
Height: 5-10
Intended Major: MED in Educational Leadership (Athletic Administration)

Statistical Breakdown
Academic All-MAC selection and team captain for three seasons at Northern Illinois...totaled 528 points, 196 rebounds, 107 assists and 42 steals during collegiate career at NIU...started 36 of 108 games played shooting 34.8% from the field and 34.1% from deep...started 14 of 29 games in 2023-24 averaging 6.1 PPG and 2.9 RPG...set career-highs of 19 points and four assists during her senior season...four-year letterwinner in HS...2019 IBCA/Subway Senior All-State selection and Associated Press High Honorable Mention selection...averaged 20.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game as a senior...scored 1,571 points in high school.

Personal
Attended Bellmont HS in Decatur, Ind...also played volleyball and ran track in HS...was on the dean's list and national honor society...daughter of Matt and Julie Hunter...father and brother, Dan, played collegiate football, sister, Emily, played collegiate volleyball, and sister, Amanda, played collegiate basketball...born on July 7, 2000...plans to pursue MED in educational leadership with a concentration on athletic administration.

Why UNF?
"With prayer, I felt called to UNF. The coaches, along with the support staff and my future teammates, instantly made me feel at home. UNF is a beautiful place and I am thankful for this opportunity."

Coach's Thoughts
"I'm thrilled to bring Grace [Hunter]'s veteran experience to our team. She's the last of the 'COVID kids,' utilizing her extra year. Grace is a blue-collar guard, tough as nails, who will be a great example on the court for our younger players. Off the court, Grace is a first-class young woman and I just know UNF fans are going to love her!"
-- head coach Erika Lambert

Lauren Bell

Position: Forward
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Melbourne, Fla.
High School: Viera HS
Height: 6-3
Intended Major: Business & Marketing

Statistical Breakdown
Back-to-back district champion her sophomore and junior years of high school...scored 1,000 points in her HS career...was the FACA District Player of the Year...biggest game was scoring 30 points...she also recorded 12 double-doubles during her senior season...averaged 19 PPG and eight RPG as well during her senior year.

Personal
Attended Viera HS in Melbourne, Fla...also played golf and was part of National Honor Society in HS...daughter of David and Lisa Bell, mother, Lisa, played basketball at Marist, as well as overseas in Italy...has a twin brother, Andrew...born on Mar. 15, 2006...plans to major in business & marketing.

Why UNF?
"I chose UNF mostly because of the coaching staff and how welcoming they were. Also, the atmosphere at UNF is what made me feel at home and a place where I could continue my basketball career."

Coach's Thoughts
"One of my favorite things about coaching is witnessing players' individual growth on the court. Lauren [Bell] will come to us as a true freshman with tremendous potential. She already has great size and great hands - things you can't teach. We can't wait to get to work with LB in the post!"
-- head coach Erika Lambert

Anja Ekström

Position: Guard
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Spanga, Sweden
Previous School: Western Wyoming
Height: 5-6
Intended Major: Health Science - Kinesiology

Statistical Breakdown
Played her first collegiate season at Western Wyoming CC...put up 10.5 PPG, 4.3 APG and 1.5 SPG during the regular season in 2023-24...was the Swedish South Conference Champions (2021/2022) and Swedish Champions U17 (2019) during HS...made the all-district team and was the national shooting competition champion in 2019...biggest game was scoring 31 points against high school rival team (Marbo Basket) with nine made three-pointers (9-for-14).

Personal
Attended Marks Gymnasieskola for high school in Sweden before Western Wyoming...had the best grades in the class, as well as the best student-athlete in the class of 2023...daughter of Anders and Stina Ekström...born on Sept. 14, 2004...plans to major in health science - kinesiology.

Why UNF?
"My goal has always been to play Division I basketball and I felt as if UNF was a great fit for me. I really believe in Coach Lambert's vision and think that UNF will make me a better basketball player and student."

Coach's Thoughts
"Anja [Ekström] will be a great fit in our offensive system. She was one of the later additions to this class, as we searched for a point guard who can really distribute the ball. Her assist numbers as a junior college freshman were excellent, and it's a huge bonus that she is a sniper from three. Anja is also an exceptional student."
-- head coach Erika Lambert

Sydney Pettis

Position: Forward
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Harrisburg, Pa.
Previous School: Moberly Area CC
Height: 6-2
Intended Major: Early Childhood Education

Statistical Breakdown
Played at Moberly Area CC during her first collegiate season in 2023-24...averaged 8.2 PPG and 5.4 RPG with a 45% mark from the field...totaled 212 points, 141 rebounds, 67 offensive boards, 74 defensive boards, 25 blocks and 14 steals during her freshman season...led conference in rebounds and blocks as first team, all-star and top 25 player in PPG her senior year of HS...also led rebounds and blocks as second team, all-star and top 25 in PPG during junior year...biggest games were putting up 30 points, as well as a 17 point-17 rebound performance...totaled 340 points, 224 rebounds and 46 blocks her HS senior year in 2022-23.

Personal
Attended Susquehanna Township HS in Harrisburg, Pa., before Moberly Area...also ran track & field, along with graduating with distinguished honors her senior year of high school...daughter of Allen and Cordelia Pettis...sister, Lauren, played basketball at Shippensburg University...born on Dec. 20, 2004...plans to major in early childhood education.

Why UNF?
"I have felt nothing but welcomed since I started speaking to the coaches. I like the small class sizes and individual attention. I love being minutes away from the beach!"

Coach's Thoughts
"Sydney [Pettis] is a gifted athlete and I'm excited about the mobility she brings to our five position. She's a solid finisher inside with a nice touch around the rim. Syd will help our program improve in the rebounding and free throw attempts categories, which are both things we need to get better at."
-- head coach Erika Lambert