Photo by: John O'Connor
Matee Ajavon Receives Honor as 'Great Immigrant'
Jul 06 | Women's Basketball
Former Scarlet Knight One of 38 Naturalized Citizens Recognized
NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Carnegie Corporation of New York released its annual list of Great Immigrants, which included former women's basketball standout Matee Ajavon ('08).
The 5'8" guard graduated from Malcolm X Shabazz High School in Newark, New Jersey after immigrating to the United States with her family from Liberia. She led her high school to back-to-back state championships in 2003 and 2004.
Ajavon continued her career at Rutgers where she was a key contributor to the 2007 Scarlet Knights team that reached the NCAA Championship game. During her career "On the Banks," she received Associated Press All-American Honorable Mention accolades in 2007 and 2008. Ajavon was also the 2005 Big East Freshman of the Year, averaging 12.4 points per game along with 121 assists that season.
The fifth overall pick by the Houston Comets in the 2008 WNBA Draft, Ajavon is currently taking a year off from the league. She is one of 20 former RU women's basketball players to be drafted by the WNA. More recently, Ajavon played with Bnot Hertzeliya in Israel this past winter averaging 13.3 points per game.
Ajavon ranks ninth on the Rutgers all-time scoring list with 1,622 points and fifth on the Rutgers all-time steals list with 275 steals. She also played in 132 games, ranking her sixth on the Rutgers most games played list.
Ajavon, and the other 37 nominees, were recognized on July 4th with a full-page announcement in the New York Times.
Follow Rutgers women's basketball at www.ScarletKnights.com and (@RutgersWBB) on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all of the latest news and updates. For additional updates, download the Rutgers Gameday App.
The 5'8" guard graduated from Malcolm X Shabazz High School in Newark, New Jersey after immigrating to the United States with her family from Liberia. She led her high school to back-to-back state championships in 2003 and 2004.
Ajavon continued her career at Rutgers where she was a key contributor to the 2007 Scarlet Knights team that reached the NCAA Championship game. During her career "On the Banks," she received Associated Press All-American Honorable Mention accolades in 2007 and 2008. Ajavon was also the 2005 Big East Freshman of the Year, averaging 12.4 points per game along with 121 assists that season.
The fifth overall pick by the Houston Comets in the 2008 WNBA Draft, Ajavon is currently taking a year off from the league. She is one of 20 former RU women's basketball players to be drafted by the WNA. More recently, Ajavon played with Bnot Hertzeliya in Israel this past winter averaging 13.3 points per game.
Ajavon ranks ninth on the Rutgers all-time scoring list with 1,622 points and fifth on the Rutgers all-time steals list with 275 steals. She also played in 132 games, ranking her sixth on the Rutgers most games played list.
Ajavon, and the other 37 nominees, were recognized on July 4th with a full-page announcement in the New York Times.
Follow Rutgers women's basketball at www.ScarletKnights.com and (@RutgersWBB) on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all of the latest news and updates. For additional updates, download the Rutgers Gameday App.
- RU -
Women’s Basketball Post Game Press Conference - Lafayette
Saturday, December 20
Women’s Basketball Post Game Press Conference - Saint Peter’s
Sunday, November 30
Women's Basketball Postgame Press Conference - Northeastern
Saturday, November 29
Women's Basketball Postgame Press Conference - Siena
Tuesday, November 25
