NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona College women's basketball team will add four newcomers to its roster for the upcoming 2019-20 season. The Gaels return all but two players from their 2018-19 roster; the 2019-20 team will consist of 11 underclassmen, three juniors and two seniors. The Maroon & Gold finished strong in the 2018-19 season, toppling Siena in upset fashion in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament before falling to Rider in the quarterfinals.
 
Lucía Becerra Pérez – San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
Hailing from the largest of Spain's Canary Islands off of the coast of West Africa, Becerra Pérez most recently played with the Stirling Knights of Scotland as an exchange student. She originally attended IES Viera y Clavijo High School in her hometown. As a member of the Knights, Becerra Pérez helped her SWL Under 16 team win the Division One National League Title. She scored 32 points, collected eight rebounds and dished out eight assists in the Cup Final. 
 
Tanayja London – New Haven, CT
London attended New Haven Academy Magnet School. Athletically, she played for James Hillhouse High School in her hometown of New Haven, CT. The guard/forward combo won the 2019 Class L State Championship and was named the MVP for her 17 point, 12 rebound effort in the title game. London was honored on the 2019 JCC Schoolboy Classic Girls Team, the 2019 CHSCA All-State Team, the 2019 New Haven Register All-State Team and was named a Gatorade Player of the Year finalist. 
 
Adaora Onwumelu – Douglasville, GA
The Nigerian born Onwumelu played high school basketball at Lithia Springs in Georgia; she most recently played with AAU Hoop Dreams. In her junior season, the 6'2 forward helped her high school team to a first place finish in its region en route to a second place finish in the state tournament. Her senior season highlighted by another trip to regionals. A multi-sport athlete, Onwumelu also competed in track and field as well as volleyball while at Lithia Springs.
 
Nikki Worner – Canberra, Australia
Worner was a late-season addition to the Gaels; she played five seasons at two different schools during her high school years, competing in the U17 Australian Schools Championship. She won the bronze medal in Division 1 and was a silver medalist in the Championship Division. At 17, Worner moved on to play for the Canberra Capitals Academy in the South East Australian Basketball League.
 
Head coach Billi Chambers on the four newest members of Gael Nation:
 
"Making the decision to become a Gael brings with it a tremendous amount of responsibility. We challenge our young women to compete, serve their communities and live their lives with the highest character, day in and day out. Lucia, Tanayja, Adaora and Nikki each fit the mold, perfectly. They are incredibly hard working, talented and bright young women who are motivated to strengthen our women's basketball program in every way possible. We are thrilled to introduce them as the newest members of our family!"

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