The Rutgers women's basketball program is building momentum in the transfer portal, securing a key piece for its frontcourt with the commitment of JUCO forward Mary Akinde. Announced late Sunday night via social media, Akinde becomes the Scarlet Knights' fourth commit of the day and a crucial addition following the departures of Yacine Ndiaye and Janae Walker.

Standing at an imposing 6-foot-5, Akinde brings a proven rebounding presence and size that new head coach Gary Redus II desperately needed. She arrives from Barton Community College in Kansas, where she made an immediate impact in her freshman season, averaging an impressive double-double of 10.8 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.

Her performance in the competitive Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) was standout. Akinde was the only player in the conference to average a double-double, finishing among the league leaders in both scoring and rebounding—a feat that earned her a spot on the All-KJCCC Second Team.

Originally from Minne, Nigeria, Akinde played her high school basketball at Athens Christian in Georgia. She brings three years of eligibility to Piscataway, with the potential for more, offering Coach Redus a long-term building block in the paint. For a team looking to establish a new identity, landing a dominant post player like Akinde is a significant first step in the right direction.