HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University women's basketball team returns to action for the 2023-24 season welcoming seven new additions to the court. Coach Banbury brings five transfers and two freshmen to the Panthers locker room.
 
Head Coach Chelsea Banbury on Recruits: "I'm really excited about all of the additions that we have made to our roster this off season.  We have added players from all over the country and my staff was instrumental in building relationships with these players to make it possible."
 
Transfers

Lauren Bevis – Spartanburg, S.C. – Gardner Webb
 
2023 Big South Conference selection at guard
 
2023 Big South All-Tournament Team
 
2022-23 Preseason All-Big South Conference
 
2020-21 All-Big South Second Team
 
Banbury on Bevis: "We are very fortunate to be able to add a scorer like Lauren.  We have played against her the last four years, and she has made huge improvements every year, turning into one of the best players in our league."
 
Faith Price – Jamestown, N.C. – UNCG (2022-23) Campbell (2019-22)
 
Campbell:
 
Big South Regular Season Champion (2019-20, 2021-22)
 
WNIT Appearance (2021-22)
 
UNCG:
 
Holds the record for threes made in a game (8)
 
Banbury on Price: "Faith has proven herself to be a great shooter at this level in her career.  She has the willingness and understanding to compete on the defensive end and make us a better team."
 
McKenzie Maier – Parker, Colo. – Wake Forest University
 
Linda & Ron Wellman Lifetime Teammate Award (2023)
 
NCAA Tournament (2021)
 
Banbury on Maier: "Mack brings a lot of maturity and high-level experience to our team.  I really think that her leadership is going to help us throughout the season on and off the court."

Aaliyah Collins – Snohomish, Wash. – Grand Canyon University, Chicago State University
 
2021-22 Second Team All-Western Athletic Conference (CSU)
 
2021-22 Western Athletic Conference All-Newcomer Team (CSU)
 
Banbury on Aaliyah: "Aaliyah brings two years of DI experience with her.  I'm excited about the impact she has on the defensive side of the ball, with her 81 steals last year, she was towards the top of the leader board in the NCAA. Her explosiveness will also create a lot of opportunities for us on the offensive end."
 
Bukky Akinsola – Hillside, N.J. – Colby Community College / Moberly Community College
 
Region 16 Champion (Moberly)
 
Banbury on Akinsola: "With the addition of Bukky, our roster got a lot more athletic.  Her ability to pressure the ball on defense and quickness to beat her defender on offense, will fit in well with how we play."
 
Freshmen

Emma Larios – Asheville, N.C. – Asheville Christian Academy

All Conference (2019 @Owen HS)
 
First Team All-State (2020-23)
 
All-Conference (2020-23)
 
Conference Co-POY
 
Banbury on Larios: "Emma is a competitor that just wants to win.  She has the ability to pressure the ball on defense and a very good understanding of the game on the offensive side.  She has also become a consistent shooter.  All of these attributes fit in well with our program and how we play.  I'm looking forward to the next four years with her."
 
Peyton Gerdes – Lake Villa, Ill. – Grayslake North High School
 
3x IBCA All State
 
4x Daily Herald All-Area
 
4x Chicago Tribune News Sun All-Area
 
NLCC Player of the Year
 
4x NLCC All-Conference
 
Banbury on Gerdes: "Peyton is a player that loves to compete.  Every day she shows up and plays as hard as she can.  Added with her skills to score in a variety of way, I'm excited to work with her over the next four years."
 
The Panthers look to climb their way back to the top this year with these seven new additions to the team. Each player brings a special talent to the team that will fit right in with the style of play the Panthers run. Keep an eye out for the schedule release coming soon!