University of New Mexico Lobos athletics
Open Search
Open Announce
Women's Basketball

Overseas pro prospects growing under Bradbury at UNM

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Mike Bradbury is set to embark on his fourth season as head coach of the women’s basketball team at the University of New Mexico, and in his three previous seasons, Bradbury and his coaching staff have worked diligently to restore the program to its former glory.
 
That hard work has paid off with on-court results as the Lobos have won 64 games under Bradbury, have hosted four WNIT postseason games, been on cusp of being nationally-ranked and have had numerous players earn all-conference recognition as well as garner the top individual awards in the Mountain West.
 
All that success and winning for Bradbury as the head coach of the Lobos has led to a growing pipeline of professional basketball careers for former players.
 
Heading into the coming season, four former Lobo women’s basketball players that played under Bradbury are expected to be on active rosters for professional teams overseas*. That list of former standouts includes: Cherise Beynon, Nike McClure, Jaisa Nunn and Richelle van der Keijl.
 
“One of the biggest ongoing goals that we have for our program at UNM is to develop a program that will prepare and produce professional basketball players after their time here is done,” notes Bradbury. “Right now, we are building up consistency in that regard and are helping fulfil and meet the goals of our players that truly have aspirations of playing professionally.”
 
Cherise Beynon
Years at UNM: 2014-15 – 2017-18
2019-20 Professional Team: Telstar Hesperange (Luxembourg)
A four-year starter for the Lobos, Cherise Beynon established herself as one of the best players to ever don the Cherry and Silver. A three-time All-MW First Team selection, Beynon ended her sensational career as the fourth-leading scorer in program history with 1,776 points. A do-it-all point guard, Beynon also hauled in 788 career rebounds, dished out 615 assists and came away with 261 steals. In all three of those stat categories, Beynon ranks in the top-5 all-time at UNM.
 
In her senior season, Beynon had a year for the record books as she set a program single-season record for assists with 243 and scored the second-most points in program history as well with 607. Beynon also went on to earn the highest academic honor possible as she was named the CoSIDA Academic All-America® of the Year for Division I Women’s Basketball.
 
Now two years removed from her time as a Lobo, Beynon is preparing to suit up for her second team overseas, this year playing for Telstar Hesperange.
 
“It feels great to be living out my dreams to continue to play professionally overseas! As I go into my second year overseas, I can’t wait to see where this new adventure takes me. Even though it’s only been a year and a half since I last dressed up in a Lobo uniform, I remember all the great moments of being a Lobo! They were some the best times of my career. I will always be a Lobo 4 Life, but now it’s time to explore the world and continue living out my dreams playing overseas! Wish me luck Lobo Nation!”
 

 

Nike McClure
Years at UNM: 2018-19
2019-20 Professional Team: Anorthosis Basketball Club (Cyprus)
Nike McClure played just one season for the Lobos after coming to the Duke City as a graduate transfer from Washington State. Despite her short time as a Lobo, McClure left an indelible mark on the program and fan base thanks to her tenacious style of play on the defensive end and her infectious upbeat personality.
 
A member of the Mountain West All-Defensive Team, McClure’s tounge-and-cheek block parties were something to behold. On the year, McClure led the MW in blocks with 67 and her 2.1 blocks per game average was a full block better than the closest competitor in the league. Additionally, her 67 blocks ranked fifth all-time in a single season at UNM.
 
McClure is now set to begin her overseas professional career with the Anorthosis Basketball Club in Cyprus.
 
“It has been an absolute pleasure to continue my basketball career overseas. I have dreamt of this experience since I started playing basketball as a kid. I am truly blessed to be able to say that UNM was a part of the reason I was able to make that dream a reality. I am forever grateful for my time spent at UNM with some of the best people I’ve met. Thank you! GO LOBOS!”
 

 
Jaisa Nunn
Years at UNM: 2015-16 – 2018-19
2019-20 Professional Team: Iraugi Saski Baloia (Spain)
Jaisa Nunn’s final two seasons with the Lobos cemented her standing in Lobo women’s basketball lore. After having her sophomore season cut short due to injury, Nunn broke out as a junior and carried that over into her final season at UNM where she became the first player in program history to be named Mountain West Player of the Year. Over those two years, Nunn played and started in all but one of UNM’s 67 games. She would also score over 1,000 points in those two seasons alone totaling 1,137 of her 1,570 career points.
 
Averaging 17.2 points per game over her final two seasons, Nunn did so in a remarkably efficient way as she shot over 58% overall from the floor each year and her .637 shooting percentage as a junior is a single-season record at UNM.
 
In addition to her scoring prowess, Nunn was a dominant rebounder as well as she totaled 952 for her career, ranking second all-time at UNM. Nunn also became the only player in program history to have 1,000 or more career points and 900 or more career rebounds.
 
“I am currently playing my first season of professional basketball in Spain and I am very thankful. UNM helped me tremendously in improving my game and training me to play overseas. I am really excited to play, and it is a great opportunity to play against new people in a new country. I am hoping that I can continue this journey for as long as a I can.”
 

Richelle van der Keijl
Years at UNM: 2016-17
2019-20 Professional Team: BLK Praha (Czech Republic)
With pro prospects assuredly waiting for Richelle van der Keijl was done with her collegiate career, van der Keijl prolonged that potential opportunity for a year as she came to UNM with Bradbury as a graduate transfer after playing under Bradbury during his final two seasons at Wright State.
 
In her lone season with the Lobos, van der Keijl made her impact known throughout the Mountain West as she was tabbed as the league’s Newcomer of the Year. Starting in all 30 games that season, van der Keijl averaged 13.8 points per game, ranked second in the league in rebounds per game (9.9) and blocked shots (61) while also leading the conference in field goal percentage (58.7).
 
Upon leaving UNM, van der Keijl began her overseas professional career and has played for three different organizations over the last two seasons. This coming year van der Keijl has signed with BLK Slavia Praha.
 
“Looking back, I would never have wanted to miss my year as a Lobo. It was such a great experience and it definitely helped me get to where I am today.”
 

 
Note
* – Five total former players that played under Bradbury at UNM have played professionally. Latesha Buck (2017-18) signed a professional contract last year in Serbia.
 

Related Stories

UNM Falls to San Diego State in MW Quarterfinals
UNM Falls to San Diego State in MW Quarterfinals
Lobos Open MW Tournament with San Diego State Monday
Lobos Open MW Tournament with San Diego State Monday
Lobos Earn MW Newcomer, Defensive Player and Coach of the Year to Highlight All-Conference Awards
Lobos Earn MW Newcomer, Defensive Player and Coach of the Year to Highlight All-Conference Awards