Bronx, N.Y. – Fordham women's basketball head coach Bridgette Mitchell has announced the additions of two transfers: senior guard
Taylor Donaldson from New Mexico State and junior guard
Taya Davis from Garden City CC, for her upcoming inaugural 2023-24 season.
"We want to play an up-tempo game and Taya definitely plays that way!" Coach Mitchell said, "She is quick and explosive. I cannot wait to see how she competes daily to improve not only her skills but also the program! She is from Chicago and will fit right in here in the Bronx!"
Taya Davis played in 31 of a possible 32 contests during the 2022-23 season, starting in all but one contest. She averaged 8.5 points on 29.2% shooting across 32.6 minutes with a whopping 7.3 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals. The Decatur, Ill. native racked up 225 total dimes, totaling just 132 turnovers, for a 1.7 assist/turnover ratio, to lead the squad in assists and steals, while also providing 12 blocks.
The year prior, Davis played her freshman season at Odessa CC, starting 21 of 24 contests in 2021-22 and earning WJCAC All-Conference honors after averaging 8.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.8 steals over 22.7 minutes per contest. In 12 conference contests, those numbers jumped to 9.3 points, 5.0 boards, 5.2 assists, and 1.8 steals across 29.9 minutes. Davis played at MacArthur high school.
Taylor Donaldson, a 5'10 guard from Newbury Park, Calif., appeared in 72 contests for the Aggies since her arrival in 2020, including 19 starts, 18 of which came this past season. After playing in 11 games as a freshman, Donaldson was her team's third-leading scorer as a sophomore in 2021-22, averaging 7.1 points on 42.4% shooting over 18.4 minutes off the bench, except for one start. She scored a career-high 25 points against UTEP that year and led the Aggies in scoring on four occasions.
During the 2022-23 campaign, Donaldson started 18 of 33 contests, averaging 7.5 points on 37.5% shooting with 3.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game across 28.6 minutes. She helped the Aggies reach the Women's Basketball Invitational in the postseason a run to the third round, and recorded 12 double-digit scoring efforts and five games with at least three steals, including five at Portland State. Donaldson played at Oaks Christian high school, averaging 23.6 points and 8.0 rebounds over her final two years.
"Taylor's versatility, size, and skillset will allow her to come in and compete immediately." Coach Mitchell said, "She has collegiate playing experience and is a fierce competitor. I'm excited that she chose Fordham!"
