I don’t usually write about college basketball signings, but there has been some interesting news out of the local college athletic departments, and some interesting names have popped up in the press releases.

The most shocking signing, at least to me, is of sophomore transfer Maya Mayberry with the University of Tulsa women’s basketball team.

Mayberry played her first two college seasons at Oral Roberts University, where her father, Lee Mayberry, is an assistant coach. However, her sister, and former TU standout, Taleya Mayberry, is an assistant coach with the Golden Hurricane.

I can’t imagine Maya Mayberry left ORU because of a lack of playing time, because that isn’t the case. The 5-8 guard tallied 37 double-digit scoring games, including seven 20-plus scoring contests in 59 games as a Golden Eagle. She was tabbed to the all-Summit League second team as a sophomore, while averaging 14.1 points and shooting 41.2-percent.

She also received Summit League all-newcomer honors as a freshman.

The TU women’s team also signed Sommer Blakemore, a 5-5 guard, who was a two-year letter winner at Iowa Western Community College. Head Coach Matilda Mossman said her team needed help at the guard position.

“With the graduation of Alexis Gaulden, we really needed some experience at the point guard position,” Mossman said. “With Maya and Sommer, not only do we get experience, but we bring in individuals who are accustomed to leading their teams. After struggling to score from the perimeter last year, Maya and Sommer give us a much-needed boost from the three-point line.

“Both of them are combo guards who are as comfortable off the ball as they are with the ball in their hands.

“In addition, they have high basketball IQ’s, will compete in the classroom, and will represent us well on and off the court. We are truly excited to welcome them to our Tulsa basketball family!”

I wonder what transpired at ORU causing Maya to even consider leaving, especially when her younger sister, Wyvette Mayberry, a senior at Booker T. Washington High School, has committed to play at ORU next season.

In the meantime, the ORU women’s team has signed five players during the spring signing period.

Of the five signees, three will transfer in to ORU. Manaya Jones comes to ORU from Grand Canyon University, and Sinetra Jones, transfers from Dyersburg State Community College in Dyersburg, Tennessee. The Jones sisters, are from Memphis, and are the daughters of Anthony Jones, a former ORU men’s basketball player from 1990-91. Ariel Walker joins the Golden Eagles from Allen County Community College in Iola, Kansas. Walker, originally from Ozark, Arkansas, played in 26 games and recorded a 36.6 shooting average and 16.3 points per game.

Another interesting signing at ORU is that of Hannah Giddey, a freshman from Melbourne, Australia. Giddey is a 6-1 forward who averaged 12.5 rebounds per game at Albert Park College. Giddey’s parents both played professional basketball in Australia in the NBL and WNBL.

The fifth player to sign is Courtlyn Loudermill from Killeen, Texas. The 5-7 shooting guard from Hebron High School, was named Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-District.

“We’re signing five women to our program in this signing period in addition to the five we signed in the fall, and we couldn’t be more excited about it,” said Head Coach Misti Cussen. “We are excited to get them on campus, hopefully in the near future, and we are excited to go to work and get ready for this next season.”

Not to be outdone, the Oral Roberts University men’s team signed an international player, Jamie Bergens from the West Nottingham Academy in the Netherlands.

Bergens is a 6-1 combo guard, twice played for Netherlands in the FIBA Junior Euro Championships.