The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 22 Women’s Basketball player Lauren Ebo granted immediate eligibility
12.16.2020 | Women's Basketball
The junior Penn State transfer will be available to play in Friday’s Texas home match-up against Drake
AUSTIN, Texas – No. 22 Texas women's basketball head coach Vic Schaefer has announced that with the Division I Council's Wednesday passing of the blanket waiver, Longhorns 6-4 junior forward/center Lauren Ebo has been granted immediate eligibility to compete.
"Obviously, I am ecstatic and extremely happy for Lauren," Schaefer said. "She has been such a positive influence on our program in practice every day. Her family is as excited as we are at this news. Anytime you get to add a player the caliber of Lauren Ebo is a great day. This is something that all of us here at Texas, our administration and my staff, have been trying to get accomplished for quite some time. I want to thank the NCAA for their decision today. On behalf of Lauren and her family, as well as our program, we want to say thank you, and it is greatly appreciated. It's a great day to be a Texas Longhorn."
A Washington, D.C., native, Ebo transferred to the Texas program out of Penn State where she played in 59 total games with 28 starts during the 2018-19 & 2019-20 seasons.
"I want to thank God for this opportunity," Ebo said. "I've been preparing everyday with my Texas teammates and competing at a high level in practice, so I am excited to finally get out there and play. Whatever my teammates and coaches need from me, I'm ready to deliver."
During her sophomore collegiate campaign in 2019-20, Ebo averaged 5.3 points-per-game and 4.8 rebounds-per-game, while registering five double-figure scoring efforts. Included was a career-high, 16-point performance against Clemson and a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double versus LaSalle. She also went on to earn Academic All-Big Ten honors for her outstanding work in the classroom.
As a freshman in 2018-19, Ebo shot 46.7% (71-of-152) from the field while averaging 5.7 points-per-game and 5.8 rebounds-per-game. She reached double-figure scoring four times and recorded double-doubles against both St. Bonaventure and Michigan State.
As a high school freshman and sophomore, Ebo helped power Paul VI Catholic High School to a combined record of 65-3, two Washington Catholic Athletic Conference titles and a pair of Virginia Independent Schools Division I Championships. She transferred to Riverdale Baptist School for her final two campaigns, helping her squad to a pair of 20-plus-win seasons, including the Independent School National Championship and the Title IX Pat Summitt Division title while scoring 233 points and grabbing 171 rebounds as a senior captain.
