Pair of WBCA All-Americans and Netherlands National Team member join the Lobos
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico women’s basketball team has added three more players for the 2020-21 season as head coach Mike Bradbury announced the signings of twin sisters LaTascya “Tay” Duff and LaTora “Tora” Duff as well as Kathelijne “Kath” van Bennekom.
The Duff Twins and van Bennekom add to the 2020-21 class that signed with the Lobos this past fall. In that signing period, the Lobos inked prep standouts Chasity Selden (Eagle River, Alaska) and Nevaeh Parkinson (McKinney, Texas).
“I am excited to announce the additions of Tay, Tora and Kath to our signing class for next season. All three players bring a remarkable set of skills that will help our program tremendously,” said Bradbury. “Adding these three to our previous signings of Chastity and Nevaeh puts us in a great position to compete at the highest level next season.”
LaTascya “Tay” Duff
5-7 | G | Samson, Ala. | Shelton State CC
Tay is one half of the Duff Twins that will join the Lobos next season from the junior college ranks. Over the last two seasons, Tay Duff has played at Shelton State CC in her home state of Alabama. In that time, Duff nearly reached the 1,000-point mark as she scored 970 points and averaged 15.2 ppg over 64 career games. A threat from long-range, Duff was a 39% career shooter from distance and buried 158 treys over her two seasons at Shelton State. Duff was also an efficient shooter from the free throw line posting a career percentage just under 80%.
This past season, Duff was a starter for the Bucs and in 31 games, Duff averaged 17.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg and 3.1 apg. Her production helped lead Shelton State to a 29-2 overall record and a 13-0 mark in conference play. Duff and the Bucs were also riding an 18-game winning streak before the season was abruptly brought to an end due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Duff’s play on the court also garnered her NJCAA Division I and WBCA All-America honors.
Bradbury on Tay
Tay is an extreme offensive talent. She can really shoot the ball and has the potential to be one of the best shooters that I have coached. What also makes her great is her work ethic, which is off the charts. I am really excited to get her here and am excited about what she brings to our program.
LaTora “Tora” Duff
5-7 | PG | Samson, Ala. | Shelton State CC
Tora Duff completes the Duff Twins duo that will donning the Cherry and Silver in 2020-21 and will also be coming to the Lobos by way of Shelton State CC in her home state of Alabama. In her two seasons at Shelton State, Tora played in 58 career games and averaged 9.8 points per game on 48% shooting overall from the floor. From the three-point line, Tora was a 36% shooter knocking down 80 career threes. At the charity stripe, Tora was also efficient shooting an impressive 83% over two seasons.
While at Shelton State, Tora played the point for the Bucs. In two seasons, Tora totaled nearly 200 assists. Over half of those came this past season as she dished out 119 assists.
Playing alongside her sister, Tay, Tora helped guide Shelton State to a 29-2 overall record and an unblemished 13-0 record in conference play before the season came to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tora was also named alongside her sister as an All-American by the WBCA.
Bradbury on Tora
Tora has a mental toughness and mindset that separate her from other players. She loves the challenge of playing against good competition. She can score in a variety of ways and will be a great addition to our team. The combination of her and her twin sister Tay bring us experience, strong work ethic and a desire to get better.
Kathelijne “Kath” van Bennekom
5-9 | F | Gorinchem, The Netherlands | Binneland
Kath joins a growing pipeline of players from The Netherlands to come and play under head coach Mike Bradbury. The lineage began with Richelle van der Keijl in 2013-14 when she began playing for Bradbury at Wright State before the two made their way to New Mexico prior to the start of the 2016-17 season. Three years later, Celine Dupont came to UNM and redshirted the 2019-20 season.
A native of Gorinchem, The Netherlands, van Bennekom attended Lyceum Oude Hoven for high school, but garnered international playing experience through the Binnenland Club Team where she played alongside the aforementioned Dupont.
In her time with Binnenland, van Bennekom helped guide the team to a U-16 championship in 2016 and four-straight final fours for the U-20 team. In 2017 and this past year in 2020, van Bennekom and Binnenland reached the U-20 cup finals.
Bradbury on Kath
Kath brings an international game and experience playing against high-level competition. She is a multi-position player that we feel comfortable can play all over the floor for us. She has a multi-talented skill set and we are excited to have her join our team.
