By R.L. Bynum
Boston College center Maria Gakdeng has committed to North Carolina, Coach Courtney Banghart announced on Monday, giving the Tar Heels plenty of size next season.
The 6–3 junior will have two years of eligibility.
“I chose Carolina to be a part of something special,” said Gakdeng, who scored a career-high 22 points, along with six rebounds and four blocks, on Feb. 26 at Wake Forest in a 73–63 BC victory. “Not only did the coaches, players, and environment feel like home, but I would also be surrounded by a winning culture and a group that wants to see one another at their best on and off the court.”
Gakdeng, from Lanham, Md., started for the Eagles the past two seasons, averaging 11.3 points and 6.5 rebounds last season, both team-highs, while shooting 57.8% from the floor. She had three double-doubles last season and leaves BC as its second all-time leading shot blocker with 131.
“We have been very intentional and selective in monitoring the transfer portal,” Banghart said. “Today is a great day, as we are thrilled to add someone of Maria’s talent and character to our Tar Heel family. She has great experience and success in our league, and she is aligned perfectly in our competitive and collective goals.”
Gakdeng will give Carolina six players 6–2 or taller, along with senior Anya Poole (6–2), freshman Rylee Grays (6–3), redshirt sophomore Teonni Key (6–4), senior Alexandra Zelaya (6–4) and freshman Ciera Toomey (6–4).
Gakdeng was third in the ACC in blocks (1.76 per game), 10th in rebounding and 20th in scoring last season.
Gakdeng was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team in her first season and was the Freshman of the Week five times. She averaged 2.21 blocks per game, first nationally among freshmen and 15th in the nation.
“Thank you to my family, coaches, teammates, and friends at Boston College for constantly pouring into me,” Gakdeng said in a Twitter post on March 14 to announce that she was entering the transfer portal. “The love and support as I’ve navigated challenges and celebrated great success is undeniable. Although it’s been a great two years, I have decided to enter my name into the transfer portal.”
Gakdeng is one of three BC players to enter the transfer portal, along with two players who will be sophomores next season: Ally Carman and Taina Mair.
Gakdeng is a graduate of New Hope Academy and was a McDonald’s All-American Game nominee as a senior.
Gakdeng lost both games against the Tar Heels. In Carolina’s 73–55 home win over BC on Feb. 12 this past season, Gakdeng had three points, eight rebounds, two assists, two blocks and three assists. As a freshman, she had 11 points, nine rebounds, four assists and a block before fouling out in Carolina’s 78–73 win at BC on Dec. 19, 2021.
Gakdeng’s career-highs
Points: 22 at Wake Forest, Feb. 26, 2023
Field goals: 9 (2 times), last at Syracuse, Feb. 5, 2023
Field-goal attempts: 13 (2x), last at Syracuse, Feb. 5, 2023
FG%: 1.000 (7–7), vs. Sacred Heart, Dec. 21, 2021
Rebounds: 16 vs. Virginia, Feb. 3, 2022
Assists: 4 (3 times), last at Wake Forest, Feb. 26, 2023
Steals: 3 (4 times), last at North Carolina, Feb. 12, 2023
Blocks: 6 at Notre Dame, Jan. 1, 2023
Minutes: 40 vs. Albany, Dec. 10, 2022
| Year | No. | Players | Pos. | Height | |
| Freshman | 5 | Liza Astakhova (LEE-zah uh-STAH-koh-vuh) | W | 6–2 | |
| Freshman | 7 | Nyla Brooks | W | 6–1 | |
| Brooks brings dazzling skills, confidence to UNC | |||||
| Freshman | 3 | Taliyah Henderson | W | 6–1 | |
| Long wait, journey for 5-star freshman Henderson after second knee surgery nearly over | |||||
| Freshman | 26 | Taissa Queiroz | G | 6–1 | |
| Queiroz came to USA from Brazil to chase her dreams | |||||
| Sophomore | 17 | Elina Aarnisalo (EH-lee-nah AHR-nee-sah-loh) | G | 5–10 | |
| Aarnisalo brings flash, IQ and pro experience to backcourt | |||||
| Sophomore | 0 | Lanie Grant | G | 5–9 | |
| Sophomore | 34 | Blanca Thomas | C | 6–5 | |
| Sophomore | 1 | Jordan Zubich | G | 5–11 | |
| RS sophomore | 21 | Ciera Toomey | F | 6–4 | |
| RS sophomore | 4 | Laila Hull | W | 6–1 | |
| Junior | 10 | Reniya Kelly | PG | 5–7 | |
| Junior | 15 | Sydney Barker | PG | 5–6 | |
| Senior | 2 | Nyla Harris | F | 6–2 | |
| It was hard for Harris to say ‘no’ to UNC again | |||||
| Senior | 24 | Indya Nivar | G | 5–10 |
Class of 2025
| Player | Rating | ESPN rank | Position | Height | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nyla Brooks | Five star | No. 13 | Wing | 6–2 | Alexandria, Va. |
| Taliyah Henderson | Five star | No. 27 | Wing | 6–1 | Vail, Ariz. |
| Taissa Queiroz | Four star | No. 77 | Guard | 6–1 | Santa Rosa, Calif. |
| Liza Astakhova | — | — | Wing | 6–1 | Moscow, Russia |
| Date | Day/month | Time | Opponent/event (current ranks) | TV/ record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October | ||||
| 30 | Thursday | L, 91–82 | No. 3 South Carolina in Atlanta | Exhib. |
| November | ||||
| 3 | Monday | W, 90–42 | vs. N.C. Central | 1–0 |
| 6 | Thursday | W, 71–37 | vs. Elon | 2–0 |
| WBCA Challenge Las Vegas | ||||
| 13 | Thursday | L, 78–60 | vs. No. 4 UCLA | 2–1 |
| 15 | Saturday | W, 82–68 | vs. Fairfield | 3–1 |
| ——————————— | ||||
| 20 | Thursday | W, 85–50 | at N.C. A&T | 4–1 |
| 23 | Sunday | W, 94–48 | vs. UNCG | 5–1 |
| Cancun Challenge Cancun, Mexico | ||||
| 27 | Thursday | W, 83–48 | vs. South Dakota St. | 6–1 |
| 28 | Friday | W, 85–73 | vs. Kansas State | 7–1 |
| 29 | Saturday | W, 80–63 | vs. Columbia | 8–1 |
| December | ACC/SEC Women’s Challenge | |||
| 4 | Thursday | W, 79–64 | at No. 2 Texas | 8–2 |
| ——————————— | ||||
| 7 | Sunday | W, 82–40 | vs. Boston Univ. | 9–2 |
| 14 | Sunday | 4 p.m. | vs. No. 22 Louisville | ACCN |
| 17 | Wednesday | 8 p.m. | vs. UNCW | ACCN |
| 21 | Sunday | Noon | vs. Charleston Southern | ACCN Extra |
| 29 | Monday | 8 p.m. | at Boston College | ACCN |
| January | ||||
| 1 | Thursday | Noon | vs. California | ACCN |
| 4 | Sunday | Noon | vs. Stanford | ESPN or ACCN |
| 11 | Sunday | 1 p.m. | at No. 19 Notre Dame | ESPN |
| 15 | Thursday | TBA | vs. Miami | ACCN Extra |
| 18 | Sunday | 2 p.m. | at Florida State | The CW |
| 22 | Thursday | 8 p.m. | at Georgia Tech | ACCN |
| 25 | Sunday | 2 p.m. | vs. Syracuse | The CW |
| February | ||||
| 2 | Monday | 6 p.m. | at N.C. State | ESPN2 |
| 5 | Thursday | 7 p.m. | vs. Clemson | ACCN |
| 8 | Sunday | 2 p.m. | vs. Wake Forest | ACCN |
| 12 | Thursday | 6 p.m. | vs. SMU | ACCN |
| 15 | Sunday | 1 p.m. | at Duke | ABC |
| 19 | Thursday | 6 p.m. | at Virginia Tech | ACCN |
| 22 | Sunday | Noon | vs. Pittsburgh | ACCN |
| 26 | Thursday | TBA | at Virginia | ACCN Extra |
| March | ||||
| 1 | Sunday | Noon | vs. Duke | ESPN |
| ACC tournament | ||||
| 4–8 | Wed.-Sun | Gas South Arena, Duluth, Ga. | ||
| NCAA tournament | ||||
| 20–24 | Fri.-Mon. | First, second rounds | ||
| 27–30 | Fri.-Mon. | Regionals Fort Worth, Texas, and Sacramento, Calif. | ||
| April | ||||
| 3, 5 | Fri., Sun | Final Four Phoenix |
Top photo courtesy of UNC Athletics Communications; BC photo courtesy of the ACC
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