Troy University Athletics
Early JUCO Signees for Women’s Basketball Earn Player of the Year Awards
3/15/2024 11:12:00 AM | Basketball (W)
TROY, Ala. – The future looks bright for Troy women's basketball as both early signees from Nov. 8, 2023, Adriana Jones and Fortuna Ngnawo, earned player of the year awards in their respective JUCO conferences.
Jones led Shelton State to a 28-4, 14-0 ACCC record, including a 17-game winning streak to end the season, which resulted in an NJCAA South District Championship and an ACCC Player of the Year Award. The championship game saw Shelton State make a fourth-quarter comeback to win 60-58. Jones played all 40 minutes, shooting 8-of-15 to lead the Bucs with 22 points – scored eight in the fourth. She also scored 36 for a season-high in a 77-57 win over Northeast Mississippi CC on five triples.
The 5-5 guard averaged 18.1 points on 40.6 percent from the field through 31 starts with Shelton State. She also improved as a deep threat, drilling two triples a game on 29 percent. Her abilities outside scoring also rose in her assists (3.3), rebounds (4.2), steals (1.7) and blocks (0.3) per game.
Meanwhile, at Cochise College, Ngnawo averaged 16.9 points in 32 starts while shooting 47.2 percent to earn ACCAC Player of the Year. The forward demonstrated the ability to score on all levels, totaling 30.8 percent from deep and 63.9 at the line. She was also a double-double machine with 11.4 rebounds per game. In 32 games, she accumulated 20 double-doubles with two 20-plus rebound games and four 25-plus point games. On the defensive end, she swiped 2.1 steals with 0.8 blocks to boost.
The 6-0 forward brought the Apaches to a 25-7, 18-5 ACCAC record, ending the year on a six-game win streak. Like Jones, Ngnawo led the Apaches to an NJCAA Region I Championship with a 68-49 win over Eastern Arizona College. In the title game, Ngnawo shined with a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double in 34 minutes, shooting 9-of-16 from the field – finished with two steals and two blocks.
"We signed Adriana "Speedy" and Fortuna in November when their sophomore / junior college seasons were just beginning," head coach Chanda Rigby said. "We felt they would both be exceptional players, and this was more than confirmed when each of them was named player of the year from their respective regions. Both players are humble, hard-working and great teammates. We are so thankful they will be with us in Troy soon."
Jones led Shelton State to a 28-4, 14-0 ACCC record, including a 17-game winning streak to end the season, which resulted in an NJCAA South District Championship and an ACCC Player of the Year Award. The championship game saw Shelton State make a fourth-quarter comeback to win 60-58. Jones played all 40 minutes, shooting 8-of-15 to lead the Bucs with 22 points – scored eight in the fourth. She also scored 36 for a season-high in a 77-57 win over Northeast Mississippi CC on five triples.
The 5-5 guard averaged 18.1 points on 40.6 percent from the field through 31 starts with Shelton State. She also improved as a deep threat, drilling two triples a game on 29 percent. Her abilities outside scoring also rose in her assists (3.3), rebounds (4.2), steals (1.7) and blocks (0.3) per game.
Meanwhile, at Cochise College, Ngnawo averaged 16.9 points in 32 starts while shooting 47.2 percent to earn ACCAC Player of the Year. The forward demonstrated the ability to score on all levels, totaling 30.8 percent from deep and 63.9 at the line. She was also a double-double machine with 11.4 rebounds per game. In 32 games, she accumulated 20 double-doubles with two 20-plus rebound games and four 25-plus point games. On the defensive end, she swiped 2.1 steals with 0.8 blocks to boost.
The 6-0 forward brought the Apaches to a 25-7, 18-5 ACCAC record, ending the year on a six-game win streak. Like Jones, Ngnawo led the Apaches to an NJCAA Region I Championship with a 68-49 win over Eastern Arizona College. In the title game, Ngnawo shined with a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double in 34 minutes, shooting 9-of-16 from the field – finished with two steals and two blocks.
"We signed Adriana "Speedy" and Fortuna in November when their sophomore / junior college seasons were just beginning," head coach Chanda Rigby said. "We felt they would both be exceptional players, and this was more than confirmed when each of them was named player of the year from their respective regions. Both players are humble, hard-working and great teammates. We are so thankful they will be with us in Troy soon."
2025-26 Women's Basketball Season Recap
Monday, April 06
Underdogs Untold: WBIT
Saturday, March 21
Chanda Rigby Postgame Press Conference (WBIT) - No. 2 Kansas
Thursday, March 19
No. 2 Troy vs. No. 4 James Madison - SBC Championship (Full Highlights)
Monday, March 09