April 27, 2015

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina head women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley announced that Sarah Imovbioh (Abuja, Nigeria/St. Anne’s-Belfield (Va.)) has signed a financial aid agreement to attend the University and play for the Gamecocks. Imovbioh, who played three seasons at Virginia and will graduate in May, will have one year of eligibility beginning in 2015-16.

“Sarah is a true gift to our program,” Staley said. “She’s a proven winner on and off the court. I can’t wait for our university, Gamecock Nation and our community to see what a wonderful addition to our family she is.”

Imovbioh (pronounced ih-MOE-bee-OH) was the top rebounder in the ACC last season, pulling down 10.8 boards per game to rank 19th in the nation, and posted 13 double-doubles in 31 games in 2014-15. In just three seasons, she amassed 1,028 points and 793 rebounds, which puts her among Virginia’s top 10 in career rebounds. Imovbioh ranked among the ACC’s top 15 in rebounds each year of her career and led the league in field goal percentage her sophomore year, hitting 59.1 percent. Her 27 career double-doubles is among the Cavalier’s all-time top 10 as well.

Prior to Virginia, Imovbioh was a Parade Magazine High School All-America selection (2010-11) ranked No. 15 in her position in the 2011 class by ESPN HoopGurlz. She averaged 29.0 point and 22.6 rebounds as a senior (2010-11), leading St. Anne’s-Belfield to the VIS Division II state championship game. Her junior season (2009-10) saw her average 32.2 points, 20.0 rebounds, 4.9 blocked shots and 4.3 steals, including a 53-point performance in the state semifinals that year.

Imovbioh joins Shay Colley (Brampton, Ontario) in the Gamecocks’ 2015 signing class.