Maria Gakdeng Guides UNC Women's Basketball As Team's 'Mother,' Leading Scorer

Posted Mar 23, 2025
Over the summer, Maria Gakdeng's teammates appointed her the team's "Mother Teresa." Gakdeng earned the nickname from her caring nature around the team, as she's known as "a mother of six kids." She listed her kids, who are also her UNC teammates, as Indya Nivar, Ciera Toomey, Laila Hull, Sydney Barker, Jordan Zubich, and Blanca Thomas. (Inside Carolina)

Related: Women's Basketball, WBB Recruiting

UNC Women’s Basketball’s Elevates Cory McNeill To Associate Head Coach
Following two seasons as an assistant coach with UNC Women's Basketball, head coach Courtney Banghart has promoted Cory McNeill to the Tar Heels' newest associate...
Wed Sep 30, 2026

Achol Akot, Nyla Brooks To Accompany Courtney Banghart At 2026 ACC Tipoff
The countdown is on for the 2026-27 UNC Women's Basketball season, with the ACC announcing attendees for the ACC Tipoff on Oct. 5, featuring Achol...
Tue Sep 29, 2026

UNC Women's Basketball To Travel To Maryland For Exhibition Game
After meeting in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, UNC Women's Basketball will visit College Park to square off against Maryland in an...
Mon Sep 28, 2026

Nyla Brooks Ready To Take Sophomore Leap For UNC Women's Basketball
When Nyla Brooks arrived in Chapel Hill as a freshman, she quickly became part of the Tar Heels' rotation. By the end of her first...
Fri Sep 25, 2026