UNIVERSITY PARK – Penn State women's basketball has signed Illinois transfer Jayla Oden, Lady Lions head coach Carolyn Kieger announced Tuesday. Oden spent the last two seasons with the Fighting Illini and has two years of eligibility left.
Jayla Oden
5-8 l Guard l Baltimore l Illinois/McDonogh High School
At Illinois (2021-23): Played in 50 games and started 18 for the Fighting Illini…Averaged 5.2 points per game and made 19 three-pointers in her two seasons…Accumulated 11 double-digit scoring performances over the two seasons…Started 13 games during her sophomore season...Averaged 4.5 points in 16.2 minutes per game…Tallied 6.0 points, and 2.3 rebounds during her freshman year...Finished with 55 assists and a 1.2 assists-to-turnover ratio, both team-highs…Served with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
High School: Rated as a three-star recruit and the 33rd best guard in the 2021 recruiting class by ESPN…Was as the No. 6 recruit in the state of Maryland, including the state's top guard prospect by PrepGirlHoops.com…Averaged 15.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.1 steals per game…Earned the USA Today High School Sports Award as the 2021 Maryland Girls Basketball Player of the Year…Nominated as a McDonald's All-American and Gatorade Maryland Player of the Year award…Earned first-team IAAM All-Conference honors in 2019-20…IAAM conference scoring champion in 2019-20…Three-year team captain starting as a sophomore...Played one season with Team Takeover out of Washington, D.C., in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) in 2020 and four with the Maryland Belles…Named to the McDonogh Honor Roll…Also lettered in track and field.
Personal: Daughter of Steven and Rosa Oden…Has an older sister, Charmaine…Majoring in Kinesiology…Volunteered with Feed My Starving Children, Meals on Wheels, Salvation Army and Roots Farm.
Kieger on Oden: "We are thrilled to welcome Jayla to Happy Valley! She has a passion for playing defense and will fit perfectly in our up-tempo system. Her ability to defend 94 feet and guard multiple positions will help transform our defense. Jayla loves to attack downhill and will add another perimeter threat to our team. We are excited for her to join our family!"
Why Penn State for Oden: "I chose Penn State because I saw exceptional academic qualities, as well as a team and coaching staff that aligned with my core values. Throughout this process, the coaching staff has been completely honest and transparent, and I believe that our goals and expectations align perfectly with what I envision for my future. While I am excited to finally be closer to home, I am even more excited to help grow the program with my new Penn State family."
