Xavier University Athletics
Xavier Adds Kent State Transfer Nila Blackford to 2022-23 Roster
05.02.22 | Women's Basketball
The forward averaged 12.4 points and 9.0 rebounds in three seasons with the Golden Flashes
CINCINNATI - Xavier women's basketball head coach Melanie Moore announced the addition of Kent State standout Nila Blackford to the 2022-23 roster. The 6-foot-2 forward played in 77 games over three seasons with the Golden Flashes.
"We are thrilled to welcome Nila Blackford to our Xavier Family!" said Moore. "She is an extremely hard-working forward who is relentless on the boards. With Nila's versatility, she will fit our style of play because of her ability to play inside and out. Being one of the best forwards in the MAC, she helped lead Kent State to post season success."
Blackford averaged 12.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game over three seasons at Kent State. She added 72 steals, 39 blocks and a .441 field-goal percentage. The forward will enter the upcoming season 42 points shy of 1,000 career points.
The three-time All-MAC selection led the Golden Flashes to a 49-32 (31-23 MAC) record in three seasons and a second round WNIT appearance in 2022. She was also a two-time All-MAC Academic Team honoree.
Last season, she ranked sixth in the MAC in rebounds per game (8.7) – while ranking 79th in the NCAA. Blackford's 270 total rebounds ranked 68th in the NCAA. She added 10.5 points per game.
Blackford scored a career high 31 points on Nov. 23, 2019 vs Robert Morris and pulled down a career high 18 rebounds vs Buffalo on March 10, 2021.
The Louisville, Ky., native is majoring in communication studies.
"We are thrilled to welcome Nila Blackford to our Xavier Family!" said Moore. "She is an extremely hard-working forward who is relentless on the boards. With Nila's versatility, she will fit our style of play because of her ability to play inside and out. Being one of the best forwards in the MAC, she helped lead Kent State to post season success."
Blackford averaged 12.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game over three seasons at Kent State. She added 72 steals, 39 blocks and a .441 field-goal percentage. The forward will enter the upcoming season 42 points shy of 1,000 career points.
The three-time All-MAC selection led the Golden Flashes to a 49-32 (31-23 MAC) record in three seasons and a second round WNIT appearance in 2022. She was also a two-time All-MAC Academic Team honoree.
Last season, she ranked sixth in the MAC in rebounds per game (8.7) – while ranking 79th in the NCAA. Blackford's 270 total rebounds ranked 68th in the NCAA. She added 10.5 points per game.
Blackford scored a career high 31 points on Nov. 23, 2019 vs Robert Morris and pulled down a career high 18 rebounds vs Buffalo on March 10, 2021.
The Louisville, Ky., native is majoring in communication studies.
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