MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (April 13, 2023) – West Virginia University women’s basketball coach Mark Kellogg has announced the signing of Zya Nugent to a grant-in-aid for the 2023-24 academic year.
“Zya is a tough, hard-nosed, physical player that plays with a lot of emotion,” Kellogg said. “She has played some of her best basketball in the biggest moments.
“She is a wing that can attack off the dribble, draw contact, shoot the three, all while being an elite passer. Defensively, she is an effective rebounding guard and isn’t afraid to take a charge. Zya’s passion is contagious and West Virginia fans will love watching her compete."
A 5-foot-7 guard from Denison, Texas, Nugent played three seasons, from 2019-2021, at Stephen F. Austin under Kellogg, where she helped the Ladyjacks to two regular season and tournament titles. Her play pushed SFA to the NCAA Tournament during both the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Nugent redshirted the 2023 season due to injury.
For her career, Nugent has played in 87 games while making 57 starts. She has averaged 23.7 minutes per game with 11.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals.
During her junior season, she averaged career-best 12.9 points, 2.5 assists and 5.1 rebounds. Her play guided the Ladyjacks to its second straight regular-season and tournament titles. Nugent averaged 21 points during the 2022 WAC Tournament where she was named MVP.
As a sophomore, she started all 27 contests and ranked second on the team in points per game (12.3) and in minutes (25.1). Nugent was named a Southland Conference Tournament Team Selection, All-Southland Conference Honorable Mention and a Dave Campbell Texas Basketball All-Texas Honorable Mention.
During her freshman season, she played in all 29 games for the Ladyjacks, averaging 9.0 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. Nugent compiled 12 double-digit scoring efforts on the year, including four straight to end the season.
Nugent played high school basketball at Denison High School where she racked up all-state and all-region honors during her career.
“Zya is a tough, hard-nosed, physical player that plays with a lot of emotion,” Kellogg said. “She has played some of her best basketball in the biggest moments.
“She is a wing that can attack off the dribble, draw contact, shoot the three, all while being an elite passer. Defensively, she is an effective rebounding guard and isn’t afraid to take a charge. Zya’s passion is contagious and West Virginia fans will love watching her compete."
A 5-foot-7 guard from Denison, Texas, Nugent played three seasons, from 2019-2021, at Stephen F. Austin under Kellogg, where she helped the Ladyjacks to two regular season and tournament titles. Her play pushed SFA to the NCAA Tournament during both the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Nugent redshirted the 2023 season due to injury.
For her career, Nugent has played in 87 games while making 57 starts. She has averaged 23.7 minutes per game with 11.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals.
During her junior season, she averaged career-best 12.9 points, 2.5 assists and 5.1 rebounds. Her play guided the Ladyjacks to its second straight regular-season and tournament titles. Nugent averaged 21 points during the 2022 WAC Tournament where she was named MVP.
As a sophomore, she started all 27 contests and ranked second on the team in points per game (12.3) and in minutes (25.1). Nugent was named a Southland Conference Tournament Team Selection, All-Southland Conference Honorable Mention and a Dave Campbell Texas Basketball All-Texas Honorable Mention.
During her freshman season, she played in all 29 games for the Ladyjacks, averaging 9.0 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. Nugent compiled 12 double-digit scoring efforts on the year, including four straight to end the season.
Nugent played high school basketball at Denison High School where she racked up all-state and all-region honors during her career.
