FLORENCE, Ala. (May 20, 2025) – University of North Alabama women's basketball head coach Candi Whitaker announced the signing of five players on Wednesday, as the Lions prep for the 2025-26 season.

The Lions made key additions in the backcourt, with UNA adding three guards in Bukky Akinsola, Alexsandra Alvarado and Grete Ramon. North Alabama also bolstered the frontcourt with incoming forwards Cameron McNamara and Yana Borysevich.

UNA brings in a combined nine years of experience from Akinsola, Alvarado and McNamara, who will enter their first year with the Lions as transfers. The Lions also continue to add international experience with true freshmen Ramon and Borysevich. The five hope to build on a solid 2024-25 season for UNA, who head into year two of the Candi Whitaker era.

"We are excited about this incoming recruiting class and adding these five to our three early signees," said Whitaker.

 
Bukky Akinsola – Hillside, N.J. – Guard – Transfer (Georgia Southern)
 

• Graduate Transfer
• Spent the 2024-2025 season at Georgia Southern, averaging 5.1 points, 0.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game in 33 contests
• Played in 32 games her junior year at High Point University, averaging 5.0 points per game
• Completed her sophomore season at Moberly Area Community College in Moberly, Missouri, averaging 8.8 points per game
• Averaged 11.0 points per game as a Senior at Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair, N.J.

Quote from Coach Whitaker:

"Bukky was a must-sign for us. Her athleticism, skill set and experience will be an asset from day one. She shot 50% from three-point range last season, can get to the rim at will and makes great decisions in transition. Her defense is a game changer for our roster, and I look forward to seeing the impact she will have on both ends of the floor."

Alexsandra Alvarado – Richmond, Calif. – Guard – Transfer (San Francisco State)
 

• Redshirt Senior Transfer
• Spent her first four seasons at San Francisco State with career averages of 14.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game
• Secured two All-California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Second Team selections in 2023-24 and 2024-25
• Scored over 1,000 points for the Gators, totaling 1,108 for her career
• Finished her San Francisco State career seventh in school history in assists (214) and 10th in steals (157)
• Prepped at Salesian College Preparatory in Richmond, Calif.
• Was named to the Bay Area News Group Fab 25 and earned the Salesian Team Leadership Award in 2020-21

Quote from Coach Whitaker:

"Alley has proven herself in the college game. She is a great scorer, leader and playmaker on both ends. Her competitiveness is something I noticed when watching Alley's games. She fits our system and culture. We are excited about what Alley brings to our roster."

Cameron McNamara – Downingtown, Pa. – Forward – Transfer (Highland CC)

• Junior Transfer
• Spent first two seasons at Highland Community College
• Averaged 16.4 points on 53.3 percent shooting, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in two seasons at Highland
• Earned First-Team NJCAA All-American honors for the 2024-25 season, along with the KJCCC Division 2 Women's Basketball MVP
• Earned a KJCCC Second-Team Selection in 2023-24
• Prepped at Downingtown West High School

Quote from Coach Whitaker:

Grete Ramon – Italy – Guard – Freshman

• Spent the 2024-2025 season for Basket Foxes Giussano in Serie A2 — Italy's second-tier professional basketball league
• Played in 28 games, averaging 3.8 points, 1.1 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game
• Scored a career and team high 17 points on April 12, 2025 against Benevento
• Totaled 22 steals on the season, including 18 in the final eight contests (2.25 average)
• Had a career-high five steals against Benevento, also on April 12
• Played on Italy's national team in the 2024 U18 FIBA Women's EuroBasket, averaging 4.3 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists in seven games

Quote from Coach Whitaker:

"Greta is a point guard who brings valuable international experience. She has excellent basketball IQ with all the intangibles and skill set to make her an elite point guard. Her background of playing at a high level in Italy and with the Italian national team will help her in the transition to Division I basketball. We are excited to get her on campus after she competes for her national team this summer."

Yana Borysevich – Minsk, Belarus – Forward – Freshman

• Spent the 2024-25 season with BC Minsk in the Belarus Premier League
• Averaged 7.7 points per game on 47.9% shooting in 39 games, also averaging 3.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game
• Scored in double figures 13 times on the season, including a high of 23 points in 29 minutes against Gorizont on May 8, 2025
• Helped lead her team to a first-place finish in the 2024 Republic of Belarus championship
• Secured a second-place finish with her team in the 2023 Olympic Youth Days
• Named to the Symbolic Five at the 2023 Olympic Youth Days of the Republic of Belarus

Quote from Coach Whitaker:

"At six feet, Yana gets a lot done! Her passing ability and IQ is off the charts, and she has speed to attack the rim and run in transition. Yana has great instincts on the defensive end and provides the versatility we look for on the offensive end. Yana is a great addition, and we look forward to her development at UNA."