SPARTANBURG, S.C.- Head coach Jason Williams and Upstate women's basketball announced the addition of four Spartans set to join the army for the 2023-2024 season on Friday morning.

Williams expressed his excitement for the final additions to his team saying, "It was important that we brought in a mix of character, talent, and experience to add to a returning group of players that we are very excited about. We feel we did just that with these four. We want to welcome all four to our Spartan family as they all possess great basketball skill but more importantly a high character which is the foundation of our program."

Maile "Mae" Afoa – 6'1 Post; Sophomore

Mae Afoa transfers to USC Upstate from Utah Valley University. Prior to her time as a Utah Valley Wolverine, she attended Jordan High School in her hometown of Sandy, UT. Afoa played basketball all four years of high school as a Beetdigger, averaging a double-double every year except her freshman year. While at Jordan she also was a member of the National Honors Society and the People of the Pacific Club. Afoa also played for Colorado Premier EYBL. Afoa comes to Upstate looking to study criminal psychology.

Coach Williams on Afoa: "Mae Afoa is a perfect fit in our system on the court and off the court. Mae's personality and character adds great value to our culture which is something we place a premium on. On the court Mae is a strong physical post player who demands attention on the block. The unique thing about Mae is she not only makes her presence felt in the low post, but she also is a great shooter who can step out and play on the perimeter. We are elated to add someone with Mae's skillset, versatility, motor, work ethic, and character to our family."

Isabell West – 6'0 Post; Graduate Student

Isabell West comes to USC Upstate from Iowa Wesleyan University. While at Iowa Wesleyan University, West was the 2022-2023 Continental Athletic Conference Player of the Year, the 2022-2023 Continental Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year, the 2022-2023 Continental Athletic Conference Tournament MVP, named to the 2022-2023 Continental Athletic Conference All-Conference First Team, and was an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American. West averaged 19 points per game, 10 rebounds per game, 1.5 assists per game, and 1.5 blocks per game. Prior to her time as a Tiger, West attended Shakopee High School in her hometown of Shakopee, Minn. During her senior year as a Saber, she helped her team become the 2019 Section Champions. West also played for the Diamond Elite travel team where she averaged 15 points and 12 rebounds per game. West comes to Upstate looking to study digital media.

Coach Williams on West: "Bell is someone our staff is very excited about due to her being such a great fit on and off the court. Bell is a post player who will excel in our system as she has a very versatile skillset combined with a scorer's mentality. She plays with a high motor and just has a knack for scoring along with being a great rebounder. Bell brings great value as a player, but we

are just as excited about what she brings as a person. She has valuable experience from coming from a family of coaches to participating in National tournaments, a WNIT appearance, and All-American honors. We are excited to add someone of Bell's talent and character to our family."

Dakota Reeves – 5'7" Guard; Graduate Student

Dakota Reeves comes to USC Upstate from the University of Charleston. Reeves finished her senior year at the University of Charleston averaging 12.1 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, and a 43% three-point field goal percentage which earned her All-Conference Second Team honors. In her senior year, Reeves became the all-time leading three-point field goal leader (349), setting a record for three-point field goals in a single season (105) and three-point field goals in a single game (10). During her junior season, Reeves averaged 11.4 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game, and a 45% three-point field goal percentage. Her work during the 2021-2022 season helped the Golden Eagles become Mount East Conference Champions and earned her a spot on the All-Conference Second Team and the All-Atlantic Tournament Team. During her sophomore season she averaged 10.7 points per game, 4.0 rebounds per game, and a 44% three-point field goal percentage. The 2020-2021 season was the first season Reeves was able to help her team become Conference Champions as well as Regional Champions. For her work on the court Reeves received an honorable mention from the conference. Reeves started her collegiate career averaging 11.1 points per game, 2.1 rebounds per game, and a 47% three-point field goal percentage and was named the Mountain East Freshman of the Year. Reeves comes to Upstate looking to study exercise science.

Coach Williams on Reeves: "Our staff made it a priority to add shooting in this class, we did that with Dakota as she is one of the best shooters in the country. Dakota comes to us as the record holder for most made threes in school history at her previous school. She did that while shooting close to 50% from three over a four-year career. Dakota also brings a high IQ, a very strong work ethic, high character, and very valuable experience. She has led her team to 3 NCAA tournaments, including 2 sweet 16 appearances. Our staff is extremely excited to add someone with Dakota's character, talent, and experience to our family!"

Macy Wike- 5'9" Guard; Freshman

Macy Wike comes to USC Upstate from Asheville Christian Academy and is a Cullowhee, N.C. native. While at Asheville Christian Academy, Wike played basketball, volleyball, and competed with the track & field team. As a Lion she averaged 16.6 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game, 2.3 assists per game, 3.4 steals, per game and owned a 71% free throw percentage. Wike racked up several accolades including earning All-Conference honors three times, NCISSA All-State honors, was a NCBCA All-District selection, and was a WNC All-Star. Along with her spot on various athletic teams, Wike was also a

member of the National Honor Society. Wike also played for the Carolina Flames TC 17U team. Wike comes to Upstate looking to study exercise science.

Coach Williams on Wike: "There are a lot of things we are excited about when it comes to adding Macy to our family. Macy comes in with a great skill set to shoot it combined with a high IQ. Her work ethic both on and off the court has impressed our staff. Macy's motor and skillset are a perfect fit for how we play. Macy is an unbelievably great person with high character and will add great value to our culture. Macy is also someone who has been well prepared for this level by John Williams and Joey Harrell who coach her in both high school and AAU. Our staff is elated to add someone of Macy's talent and character to our family."
 

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