Women's Basketball 6/15/2023 10:30:00 AM

Women's Basketball Adds Six Transfers for 2023-24 Season

RADFORD, VA. – Radford Women's Basketball Head Coach Mike McGuire has announced this week another round of exciting additions in six transfers to the roster for the 2023-24 season.

Pa'Shence Traylor-Walker, a 5'8 guard transferring from Central Arizona College joins the team as a sophomore. Ellie Taylor is a 5'10 guard coming from Northern Kentucky and joins the team as a senior. Bria Beverly, a 5'11 guard from Millersville, joins the team as a junior. Reniya Jones, a 5'8 guard transferring from UT Arlington, will join the squad as a junior. Taniya Hanner joins the Highlanders as a 6'1 center/forward graduate transfer from Albany. Rounding out the exciting transfers for Radford is Kirby Brown who comes from the JuCo level and will be a 6'0 forward from Roane State.

PA'SHENCE TRAYLOR-WALKER
Guard | 5-8 | Martinsville, Ind. | Central Arizona College
PaShenceSigned

In one season at Central Arizona College she averaged 18.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.7 spg and 3.3 apg
Scored 20+ points in 12 games and 10+ points in 27 games while setting a season-high of 36 points against Cochise College
2022-23 NJCCA Honorable Mention All-American
At Martinsville High School she averaged 17.9 ppg, 5 rpg, 3.9 apg and 3.7 spg
Earned the Mid-State Scholar Athlete award, named to Mid-State all-conference earned the John R. Wooden Award and was named to the HBCA all-region all-star team
Was a 1,000-point career scorer at the high school level
Played AAU as a part of the Indiana Elite Blaze Select coached by Derrick Cross
Daughter of Danielle Traylor and Jeff Walker

PA'SHENCE ON WHY SHE CHOSE RADFORD: "I chose Radford for their strong reputation for teachers, as I've always had a passion for becoming a childhood educator. I also get the opportunity to play alongside both of my sisters, living out our dream of competing together at the Division I level."

MCGUIRE ON PA'SHENCE: "Pa'Shence is coming to us from Central Arizona Community College where she had an outstanding freshman season. She was named an honorable mention All-American this season. Pa'Shence is a versatile, intelligent basketball player that can score and play-make in various ways. Pa'Shence is a heady player and can also help to manage a game well and keep a team on the same page. She has a lot of playing experience at both the point guard and shooting guard positions and should bring immediate impact to our perimeter."

ELLIE TAYLOR
Guard | 5-10 | Bardstown, Ky. | Northern Kentucky
EllieTaylor

Last season at Northern Kentucky she appeared in 14 total games finishing with 11 total points, 4 assists, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals.
Had a season-best game against Kentucky State, totaling 7 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists
Named to the Horizon League Academic Honor Roll
At Elizabethtown High School Ellie averaged 9.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg and 5.3 apg
Was named to the 5th Region all-tournament team between the 2017-2019 seasons, earning 5th Region Tournament MVP for the 2019-20 season
Named St. Patrick Catholic Classic MVP in 2017
Was a 1,000-point career scorer at the high school level
Played AAU as a part of the Southern Kentucky Starz coached by Coach Faulkner
Daughter of Holly and Chris Taylor

ELLIE ON WHY SHE CHOSE RADFORD: "When I took my official visit to Radford it felt genuine. It didn't feel too good to be true or unpleasant, it felt natural and that nothing was faked. The loyalty Coach McGuire showed me after I entered the portal stuck in my mind too. He had recruited me out of high school and after I didn't choose to attend Radford for my first three years of college, I couldn't believe that Coach McGuire still wanted me after I entered my name into the portal. One big thing for me going into the portal was the development piece I wanted for my next home. After talking to Coach McGuire and the rest of the staff, I felt confident that they're going to provide me with all of the extra workouts and film sessions that I felt were necessary to get myself where I wanted to be as a player. Another big part was the leadership role I would be taking on since there were only four freshmen returning. Being a leader and helping my team/teammates to make the most out of my experience is something I wanted to be a part of, for myself and my team."

MCGUIRE ON ELLIE: "We recruited Ellie out of high school, and I am glad it has come full circle with her. I've always thought highly of Ellie's approach to the game, how she values teamwork, and how the game should be played. Ellie understands the game at a high level. Ellie will bring experience and versatility to our perimeter. She brings a lot of leadership qualities to our program as well. We are excited to have Ellie in our program the next two years."

BRIA BEVERLY
Forward | 5-11 | Dallastown, Pa. | Millersville
BriaSigned

Last year at Millersville she appeared in 28 games and made 18 starts for Millersville while averaging 7.7 ppg
Her points and rebounds per game ranked third on the team
Scored double digit point totals in seven contests including in a playoff win over East Stroudsburg in the PSAC Tournament
In the following PSAC Tournament game, Bria pulled down a career-best nine rebounds against West Chester
While at Dallastown Area Highschool Bria averaged 7.7 ppg and 4.3 rpg
At the high school level was also named team player of the year, first team all York County and was a two-time York County Champion
Played AAU with the Maryland Lady Tigers coached by Walter Roman
Daughter of David and Donna Beverly

BRIA ON WHY SHE CHOSE RADFORD: "I chose Radford because the coaching staff made me feel wanted and very welcomed. I think Radford will help me reach my potential athletically and academically."

MCGUIRE ON BRIA: "What immediately stood out to me about Bria is that she wanted to be at Radford. She felt strongly that we were the right place for her and that carried a lot of weight with our coaching staff. Bria is another player that will bring versatility to our program at the forward position. Her physicality on the defensive end stood out to me as well. She has the ability to defend 3-5 for us. I like Bria's motivation and desire to improve. Because of that, I believe her game has the ability to take off with us."

RENIYA JONES
Guard | 5-8 | Washington, D.C. | UT Arlington
ReniyaSigned

While at UT Arlington, Jones and the Mavericks reached a 20-8 overall record in 2022, were Sun Belt conference champions and clinched an NCAA Tournament match-up against third-seeded Iowa State coming up just short 78-71
In two seasons at UT Arlington, Jones appeared in 38 games earning six starts totaling 394 minutes
In that pair of seasons she totaled 68 points, 23 assists, 10 steals and 31 rebounds
Set a career-high in points her freshman season with eight against Rice
Set a career-high in assists her sophomore season with three against Texas A&M-Texarkana
Played her high school ball at New Hope Academy averaging 13 points, six assists, four steals and four rebounds a game
Played AAU with New Hope coached by Sammuel Caldwell
Daughter of Tamyra Parker and Rodney Jones

RENIYA ON WHY SHE CHOSE RADFORD: "I chose Radford because of the fun family environment I received from the coaching staff on my visit while also considering how much I can grow and benefit from learning from them. Things like leadership, confidence, discipline and teamwork will prepare me for the working world. Also, Radford is a winning program and I feel like bringing my talents along with my fellow teammates we will bring home a championship!"

MCGUIRE ON RENIYA: "Reniya is coming back to the DMV after spending two seasons at Texas-Arlington. Reniya was looking to get closer to home and we are happy that she is a Highlander. Reniya is dynamic - she is a shifty combo guard that has experience of playing at a high level throughout her basketball career. She will bring some much needed punch and shooting to our back court. I know she is ready to re-establish herself and work ot make a strong contribution to our program."

TANIYA HANNER
Center/Forward | 6-1 | Hillside, N.J. | Albany TaniyaSigned

Graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Albany last season
Taniya and the Great Danes were 2022 America East Tournament Champions and went on to face the #1 seed Louisville in the 2022 NCAA Tournament
Appeared in 78 games and started in five with the Great Danes, totaling 535 minutes played
Finished her career at Albany with 77 points, 88 rebounds, 14 steals and seven blocks
Played her high school ball at Roselle Catholic High School as a four-year letter winner
Was the team captain as a senior averaging 14 points, 12.1 rebounds, 7 blocks and 3.2 rebounds per game that season
Garnered All-Union County Conference first team honors in 2018 and 2019 and was honorable mention in 2017
Helped lead her team to the Union County Championship in 2018 with a 21-7 overall record
Played AAU with Iexcel coach by Walter Welsh
Daughter of Michelle Smith and Fred Hanner

TANIYA ON WHY SHE CHOSE RADFORD: "I chose Radford due to wanting a new college experience and being able to gain exposure to a new coaching style. The coaches welcomed me with open arms to a team culture where I see myself being a part of."

MCGUIRE ON TANIYA: "Taniya is a graduate transfer from Albany. I have followed Taniya's playing career since watching her on the travel ball scene. She is coming to us from an Albany program that has won at a high level and has a strong culture. That aligns with how our program operates and we look forward to Taniya bringing her experience to our program. Taniya fills an immediate need at our forward and post position. Her experience, skill set, and willingness to be a mobile forward will help our team right away. We'll also look to Taniya for some veteran, experienced leadership."

KIRBY BROWN
Forward | 6-0 | Hixson, Tenn. | Roane State KirbySignedGraphic

Averaged 12.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game at the JuCo level last season at Roane State
Played and started in all 30 games, reaching double figures scoring in 21 games
Pulled down 10+ rebounds in nine contests including a career-high 18 rebounds against Bryan College
In the Region VII Appalachian District Tournament, Kirby dropped 20+ points in both postseason games
Played high school ball at Hixson High School, averaging 15 points and 11 rebounds per game
Named to the All-District team, team captain, school record 1,000 point scorer and was a four-year varsity starter
Played AAU with the Tennessee Force coached by Roy Pankey
Daughter of Tricia and Steve Brown

KIRBY ON WHY SHE CHOSE RADFORD: "I chose Radford because I felt that this school had the most to offer me. The campus is beautiful and the student life seems like a tight knit community that I would love to consider myself a part of. The women's basketball program has a winning attitude and the coaches are very knowledgeable about the game. In my search for a new school I was looking for somewhere that I felt could really develop me as a player and as a person. I believe Radford has that for me. I think this will be a great place for me to call home for the next two years. I am ecstatic to start this new journey!"

MCGUIRE ON KIRBY: "Kirby is coming to our program from Roane State where she was a three-time all-conference selection. Kirby will bring immediate experience, versatility, and production to our forward position. Kirby is a mature, driven, and competitive young lady. Kirby's character, work ethic, and intrinsic motivation will allow her to grow quickly in a lot of ways within our program. Our staff is looking forward to working with her over the next two years."

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