Tampa, Fla. – April 8, 2024 – South Florida women’s basketball head coach Jose Fernandez announced the addition of transfers Mama Dembele and Ines Piper on Monday afternoon. The duo will join the Bulls for the upcoming 2024-25 campaign and joins the incoming freshman class of Amy Thompson and Yana Karamfilova.
Dembele, who is ranked as the ninth transfer in the nation by ESPN, comes to Tampa Bay after four successful years at Missouri. This past year, the 5’6 guard was named the 2023-24 SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, selected to the All-SEC Defensive Team, and earned a spot on the CSC Academic All-District squad.
During the 2023-24 season at Missouri, Dembele, collared a triple-double, five double-doubles, and logged 18 double-digit scoring performances. Her triple-double was a 15-point, 11-rebound, and 11-assist performance against Auburn (Feb. 11). The Manlleu, Spain native also had six games with five-plus steals, 14 games with five or more assists, and five 10-plus assist performances. She finished the year ranked sixth nationally with an average of 6.5 assists per game and 3.3 steals per contest.
Coach Fernandez on Dembele: “After playing in the SEC for the last 4 years, Mama (Dembele) brings a wealth of experience to our program. Not only did she lead her team in assists, but she was also a force on the defensive end earning her a spot on the All-SEC Defensive Team.”
Piper heads to Tampa Bay after two years at Temple. This past season the 6’0 forward started 23 games and appeared in 32 contests for Temple. She logged nine double-digit scoring performances, had three double-figure rebound games, and collared a pair of double-doubles throughout the year. The Paris, France native put up her first career double-double with 15 points and a personal-best 11 rebounds in the season opener against Delaware St. (Nov. 6). Her second double-double of the season was a personal-best 16 points and 10 boards against UPenn (Dec. 10).
Before her time at Temple, Ines spent two years at Northwest Florida State College, where she helped her squad to a NJCAA National Championship in 2020-21 and was an All-Panhandle Second Team selection.
Coach Fernandez on Piper: “As an international player, Ines (Piper) fits our style of play at USF. With her combined athleticism and experience she will give us another threat at the four spot.”
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South Florida women’s basketball has made 18 postseason tournament appearances and had nine NCAA Tournament berths in head coach Jose Fernandez’s 24 seasons. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Fernandez has guided the Bulls to 11 20-win seasons, two WNIT final four appearances, the 2008-09 WNIT championship, has won over 450 career games, and is the all-time wins leader in the American Athletic Conference.
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