PITTSBURGH – Pitt women's basketball head coach Tory Verdi announced Wednesday morning the signing of Rapuluchi Ayodele to the Panthers' 2023-24 roster. Ayodele has two years of eligibility remaining for the Panthers.
 
"I'm really excited that we were able to include such a high-quality post player this late in Rapuluchi," stated Verdi. "She will give us much needed depth in the front court. I expect her to impact our program immediately by being a force on the boards. Her physicality will allow us to get second chance opportunity points as she has an uncanny ability of rebounding out of her area."
 
Ayodele, a 6-1 forward, comes to Pitt following three successful campaigns at the junior college level as she played for Independence CC, Eastern Florida State College and most recently at Indian River State College. Across her three seasons (89 games), Ayodele averaged a double-double with 12.9 points and 13.1 rebounds per game. She accumulated 1,145 career points and 1,164 career rebounds for three successful programs.
 
Last season, Ayodele was a force down low for Indian River State College as she appeared in games and averaged a double-double with 14.1 points and 14.1 rebounds per contest while also shooting 53.3% from the floor. She earned All-American honors for the second straight season as she was named to the NJCAA Second Team after notching a nation-leading 23 double-doubles on the year. She capped her impressive season scoring 20+ points six times while also snagging 20+ rebounds on four occasions. A dominant force offensively, Ayodele also led the team with 53 steals and 23 blocks on the defensive end of the court.
 
Prior to Indian River State College, Ayodele made 31 starts at Eastern Florida State College where she averaged a double-double with 13.6 points and 13.2 rebounds per game while also shooting a team-high 54.5% from the floor. She became the first player in program history to be named NJCAA First Team All-American while also earning FCSAA/Region 8 All-Tournament Team and Central Conference Player of the Year honors after a dominant campaign. Capped her season with 18 double-doubles while scoring in double figures 26 times and grabbing 10+ rebounds 22 times. She also led the team with 50 steals, 45 blocks and added 35 assists.
 
In her first season at the collegiate level, Ayodele played at Independence CC where she appeared in 27 games and averaged a double-double with 10.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. She also added a team-high 68 steals and 32 blocks while shooting 47.6% from the floor.
 
Ayodele is the fourth signee for Verdi joining Mia Simpson (Morton College), Jala Jordan (Seton Hall) and Bella Perkins (USC). Ayodele will be added to a Pitt front court that features Jordan, Liatu King, Gabby Hutcherson and Lauren Rust.
 
 
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