Lobos Sign Transfer Bride Kennedy-Hopoate
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — University of New Mexico head women’s basketball coach Mike Bradbury has announced that Bride Kennedy-Hopoate, who played last season at Iowa State, will transfer to the Lobos program and has signed a grant-in-aid. She is the final signee for the squad for the 2018-19 season.
As a transfer, Kennedy-Hopoate will sit out the 2018-19 season per NCAA transfer regulations and will be eligible to play her final season in 2019-20.
A 6-4 center originally from Brisbane, Australia, Bride (pronounced bride EE) Kennedy-Hopoate played first at Northwest Florida State and then at Hutchinson Community College. Coming out of Hutchinson, she averaged 11.9 points and a team-best 5.2 rebounds per game in just 19.1 minutes of action. She was the No. 1 rated JUCO recruit by All Star Girls Report and the No. 2 rated JUCO recruit by Jump Off Plus.
What she also brings is experience with the Australian National Team, and that is something coach Bradbury feels will be invaluable with the rigors of Division I basketball and the Mountain West.
“We’re excited to have another talented and experienced transfer coming into our program,” said Bradbury. “Bride will provide a big presence in the post after graduating three senior post players. Her international experience will be invaluable.”
Kennedy-Hopoate played for Australia in the 2014 U-17 World Championship. No less than 10 players off of that squad have gone onto either Division I basketball or the WNBA.
Last year at Iowa State, Kennedy-Hopoate played in 21 games and started 10 before her season ended on January 27 with a foot injury. She averaged 6.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting 38.5 percent from the field.
“It was a no brainer for me that UNM was my next home,” said Kennedy-Hopoate. “The coaching staff believes in me and my potential to be the best student-athlete I can be. They know I can have a big impact on this program and I intend to do exactly that! Go Lobos!!!”
She joins a Fall signing class of Jayla Everett (St. Louis, Missouri), Bre’asiajah Matthews (Dallas, Texas), Shaiquel McGruder (Trotwood, Ohio) and Quincy Noble (McKinley, Texas) that was rated No. 19 by ESPNW/HoopGirlz. She is the fourth signee this Spring, joining Ahlise Hurst (Australia), Nike McClure (Washington State) and Najala Howell (UTEP). Both she and Howell will sit out the 2019-20 season.