University of North Florida Ospreys Add Jaiveonna Norris to their 2016 Class

Courtesy: The University of North Florida Women's Basketball

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – North Florida women's basketball announces the addition of two athletes to the 2016-17 roster with transfers Jonell Williams and Jaiveonna Norris on Wednesday.

"I'm really excited about the two young ladies we've added to our 2016 recruiting class," said head coach Darrick Gibbs. "We have put a great deal of emphasis on adding size and versatility, while focusing on recruiting the state of Florida. Not only are they great athletes, but they are phenomenal students that will be great assets to the UNF community. My staff has done a tremendous job finding the right combination of players who fit the specific needs that we have going into next season and beyond. "

Williams comes to UNF after completing her freshman season with Ole Miss.  While with the rebels, she led the team in boards five times.  Prior to Ole Miss, Williams prepped at nearby Palatka High School and was a four-time Florida 5A first team all-state selection. She was listed as one of the top five players in the state of Florida and was the 17^th-ranked forward in her class. Williams owns the Palatka record with 2,046 points and 1,574 rebounds to go with 425 career blocks.
 
"Welcome home Jonell Williams! Jonell will bring a level of physicality and toughness to our program," added Gibbs. "She had a tremendous high school career, scoring more 2,000 points and grabbing over 1,500 rebounds. She will have to sit out this year due to NCAA transfer rules, but with her natural attributes along with her commitment and work ethic, she will be a dominate force in the paint for us."

After completing her freshman season at Western Kentucky and helping her team to a Conference USA Championship, Norris transferred to Miami Dade College. In her year at MDC, she ranked 18^th in the nation for blocks per game and earned All-Southern Conference first team honors. Prior to college, Norris averaged 10.1 points and 5.6 points for Homewood-Flossmoor in Chicago Heights, Ill. She earned all-conference first team honors as a junior and was nominated for the Northwest Times All-Area team two years in a row.
 
"Jaiveonna will be a great addition to our program. She will add size and versatility to our team that will allow us to be creative on both ends of the floor," said Gibbs. "Jaive's ability to score from different areas on the court will give us a lot of flexibility on offense. She will also be able to defend inside and out, while giving us a much needed rebounding boost."

In addition to coach Gibbs' thoughts, Miami Dade coach Susan Summons added, "Jaiveonna is a tremendous student-athlete who will help the University of North Florida Women's Basketball program reach new levels of conference and national vigor. She is an extraordinary human being and you win Championships with good people."

Williams and Norris join Kennya Simms, Adrienne Jackson and Kirsten Clement as additions to the team next season.