Leicester Riders are continuing a positive summer for the club after confirming they have signed Dee Hayward out of Armstrong University.
The Scottish guard finished her senior year at Armstrong averaging 14.9 points per game along with 3.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists in the best campaign of her collegiate career.
Hayward will join her fellow Scots returning to the Riders’ line-up in the shape of Natalie Chaloner and Robyn Lewis – as well as new signing Erin McGarrahan for the upcoming 2015-2016 WBBL season.
“I’m excited for the upcoming season,” stated an excited Hayward. “I think we have a lot of talent in the team and we have great potential to do well in the league.
“It will be great to play so close to home once again also! I’m looking forward to learning more and having a good experience with Riders.”
Hayward previously represented Great Britain at U20 level, helping the team to secure a lofty eighth place in Division A whilst averaging 24.7 minutes, 5.6 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.
The experienced guard is looking forward to taking the court in the second season in the recently formed WBBL.
“It will be a good experience to play in WBBL,” she added. “Having played in England before the WBBL was established, it’s nice to see that women’s basketball has finally been taken off the ground to the professional level. It makes the sport more competitive and helps continue to make the game grow.”
Meanwhile head Coach Matthew Harber is pleased to have Dee join the team ahead of next season as the roster continues to develop.
He said, “I’m really happy we have agreed terms with Dee. She is another example of a young British player exiting the NCAA and coming into our programme in order to further her education and basketball.”
“Dee had a strong career at Armstrong State and had a great senior year! She provides an athleticism and quickness to our wing position and is a legitimate scoring threat from multiple areas on the court,” continued the play-caller. “I’m excited to see what Dee can help us to achieve during her time here at Loughborough and Leicester.”
Report and photo courtesy of the WBBL
