Tampa Women’s Basketball Announces Newcomers

TAMPA, Fla. - University of Tampa women's basketball coach Tom Jessee has announced the newcomers for the upcoming season. The group features a plethora of seasoned players who have experience at the NCAA Division I and Junior College levels.

Among the transfers are forwards Ellen Nurmi (Turku, Finland), Aisha Rodney (Grosse Pointe, Mich.), Krissi Tow (Toddville, Iowa), guard Diamond Posey (Detroit, Mich.), and center Taylor McVey (North Grafton, Mass.).

"I thought we addressed needs that we had as we went through the year. One was depth. We didn't bring in any freshman, so we brought in four Division I transfers and one JUCO kid. This is as skilled of a class that we have assembled. We are not just bringing in skill, we need to build a team as well," stated coach Jessee.

Ellen Nurmi • C/F • 6-0 • Turku, Finland • Univ. of Portland/Makelanrinne HS
As a Freshman (UP): Started 22 games at the University of Portland…Averaged 7.9 points per game…Recorded 46 steals on the season…Tallied 67 assists…Scored a career high of 19 points vs. San Diego (1/5/13).

High School: Attended Makelanrinne High School…Member of the Finland WU16 and WU18 National Team…Club team won two national championships…Named best junior league shooter by the Finnish National Basketball Association.

Personal: Volunteered with Playworks in Portland, Oregon…Daughter of Juha Nurmi and Marina Seligson… Has two siblings, Julius and Sylva…Communications major…Birthdate: 1/5/1993.

Jessee on Nurmi: "Ellen is a phenomenal transfer who started at Portland. She was raised as the top shooter in Finland. We are very fortunate to get her. She can absolutely shoot and has a high basketball IQ. She is a typical international player who is versatile enough to play a number of positions. We expect her to contend for a starting spot right away."

Diamond Posey • G • 5-7 • Detroit, Mich. • UTEP/Cody College Prep
As a Freshman (UTEP): Averaged 1.9 points in 15 games of action for the Miners…Shot 35 percent from 3-point range her first year…Scored a career-high 5 points against New Mexico St. (12/05).

High School: Attended Cody College Prep where she played for Charles Knott…She averaged 23.5 points, 7.1 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 6.0 steals per game in high school…Her senior year she was first-team all-city, first team all-state, first team all-league…A well-rounded student as she was the Salutatorian of her school with a 4.0 GPA.

Personal: Was a member of the National Honors Society…Full name is Creiona Diamond Posey…Daughter of Tawana Posey…Management information systems major…Birthdate: 5/15/1994.

Jessee on Posey: "Another Division I transfer who comes from a great AAU program in Detroit. Was a highly rated point guard out of high school. Can shoot and pass. We didn't have enough depth at that position last year and our most important goal was to find a point guard. I expect her to push for playing time and a starting job right away."

Aisha Rodney • F • 5-11 • Grosse Pointe, Mich. • UMASS/ Grosse Pointe South HS
As a Sophomore (UMASS): Finished averaging 4.1 points and 2.2 rebounds per game over 29 appearances and four starts…Went 5-for-5 from the field for 10 points against George Washington (1/12)…Tallied four points and a career-high eight rebounds at Miami (Ohio) (12/1).

As a Freshman (UMASS): Averaged 3.8 points per game as a freshman…Made collegiate debut for the Minutewomen in a win against Boston University (11/13)…Scored first points as a Minutewoman in 10 minutes of play against Central Connecticut (11/16)...Went for her first double-figure scoring performance of her career with 15 points, seven rebounds and three steals against Holy Cross (11/22)...Contributed a team-best four assists and tallied seven points against Quinnipiac (11/29).

High School: Four-year letter winner under head coach Kevin Richards at Grosse Point South high school... Averaged 16 points, 12 rebounds and 4 steals per-game as a senior...Helped Grosse Point South to three conference championships (2009-11)…. Was a four-time all-state selection, earning first team honors as a senior...Collected four all-conference honors ...Three-time team MVP and was named Rookie of the Year as a freshman...Was a McDonald's All-American Nominee...Four-year honor roll member…Played club basketball with the Michigan Crossovers, coached by Emez Oliver, Raina Harmon and Dena Head...Helped the Crossovers to the semifinals at Nike Nationals, the furthest any team from Michigan has ever advanced in the tournament.

Personal: Volunteered for various Alzheimer's and diabetes walks…Daughter of Antje and Lorenzo Rodney…Sister of Leif…Biology major…Birthdate: 7/24/1993.

Jessee on Rodney: "A Division I transfer who started at UMass. We are very fortunate to get her. She is a true post player. (She is) a big energy player who was the key piece in the post as we were recruiting. Goes for every rebound and can be a natural post player. She's from the same AAU program as Diamond. Has a chance to be the next great post player and will contend to start."

Taylor McVey • C • 6-3 • North Grafton, Mass. • Univ. of Albany/Notre Dame Academy
As a Freshman (UA): Averaged 1.4 points and 1.3 rebounds in 8 games of action for the Great Danes…Shot 62.5 percent from the field in her first season with Albany.

High School: Three-year letter winner in basketball at Notre Dame Academy…She was a two-year central Massachusetts conference all-star…As a Senior she was named to the Worchester Telegram and Gazette Dream Team…She averaged 16 points and 12 rebounds a game as a senior in high school.

Personal: Volunteered as a basketball camp counselor as well as regularly donating food to Community Harvest…Daughter of Mark and Susan McVey…Has two siblings, Colin and Connor…Management major…Birthdate: 3/3/1993.

Jessee on McVey: "She is 6-4 and another Division I transfer. A good bit of an unknown for us. Was a late pickup who has a chance to be a big post player. Has good offensive footwork and offensive moves. She could be a big difference maker who gives us a chance to play with a big lineup. I will be shocked if she doesn't play good minutes for us."

Krissi Tow • F • 6-0 • Toddville, Iowa • Kirkwood CC/Cedar Rapids Xavier HS
As a Sophomore (Kirkwood CC): Played in 33 games…Averaged 3.7 points per game…Recorded 19 steals on the season…Scored nine points in a game vs. Ellsworth Community College (12/4/13)…Tallied 50 percent or more from the field 20 times.

As a Freshman (Kirkwood CC): Scored six points in her second game vs. Joliet Junior College (11/15/11)…Scored a career high of 13 points vs. Jefferson College (11/11/11)…Averaged 2.63 ppg…Recorded 22 assists.

High School: Attended Xavier High School, where she played for coach Tom Lilly…Averaged 8.5 ppg and 3.7 rebounds per game as a senior…Shot 42.7 percent from the field…Played club ball for Team Iowa under coach James Moses.

Personal: Daughter of Len and Julie Tow…Has two siblings, Karley and Parker…Brother Parker plays football for St. Ambrose University…Psychology major…Birthdate: 4/2/1993.

Jessee on Tow: "Comes from one of best junior colleges in country. Plays the 4 and is the most athletic of group. Good face up game. Good rebounder and an all-around good player. Will continue to add depth to post position."

The Spartans are coming off of a 19-9 season and look to utilize the new additions to dominate the conference. "We graduated one starter last year and addressed the needs we identified. We will be competitive at every position. That breeds success for us. We expect to play more players this year. We hope they can get us back to where we expect to be at the top of the conference and competing fir NCAA berths," said Jesse.