Piscataway, N.J. — Almost 17 years after her collegiate playing career, Rutgers women's basketball legend Matee Ajavon will be inducted into the 2025 Rutgers Hall of Fame class on Friday, October 17. Her career is highlighted by numerous personal awards and accomplishments in addition to a National Championship run with RU and a successful WNBA career.
"Matee Ajaon's inclusion in the Rutgers Hall of Fame is a wonderfully fitting honor," Rutgers women's basketball head coach Coquese Washington said. "Matee helped push this program to great heights with a national title run while simultaneously etching her name in the record books. Her impact was felt long after she left campus — in the WNBA, overseas and as a role model. This Hall of Fame honor is well deserved, as she is a true Scarlet Knight legend."
Ajavon helped lead the Rutgers women's basketball team to the 2007 National Championship game before enjoying a successful professional career in the WNBA and overseas.
During her career "On the Banks," she received Associated Press All-American Honorable Mention accolades (2007, 2008) while also being named a candidate for the Naismith National Player of the Year Award (2006, 2008), Wade Trophy (2006, 2007, 2008) and Nancy Liberman Award (2008).
In addition, Ajavon earned 2005 BIG EAST Freshman of the Year, averaging 12.4 points per game along with 121 assists that season. She was also named to the First Team All-BIG EAST in both 2006 and 2008.
Ajavon was the fifth overall pick by the Houston Comets in the 2008 WNBA Draft. During her first season, she averaged 8.0 points and 1.7 assists per game to earn a spot on the 2008 All-Rookie Team. After the Comets folded, Ajavon was chosen second overall in the 2009 WNBA Dispersal Draft by the Washington Mystics, where she played five seasons before spending her last four campaigns in the "W" with the Atlanta Dream. She helped guide the two franchises to five combined playoff appearances.
The 5-foot-8 point guard also enjoyed international success as she earned gold with Team USA in the 2007 Pan American games. She also played professionally overseas in Turkey, Poland and Israel.
Ajavon's name can still be found throughout the Scarlet Knights' record book as she ranks 10th on the Rutgers all-time scoring list with 1,622 points, fourth on the Rutgers all-time assist list with 556 assists and fifth on the Rutgers all-time steals list with 275 steals. She also played in 132 games, ranking her seventh on the Rutgers most games played list.
The 2025 Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame induction will take place on Friday, October 17 at Jersey Mike's Arena with the inductees recognized on Saturday, October 18 when Rutgers Football hosts Oregon at SHI Stadium.
Follow Along
Follow Rutgers women's basketball on Twitter and Instagram (@RutgersWBB) for all of the latest news and updates. The team is also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersWBB). For all Rutgers Athletics news follow us on Twitter(@RUAthletics), Instagram (@RUAthletics), and Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics). For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
