Neighbors adds transfer from Florida State to Hogs’ roster

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas women’s basketball coach Mike Neighbors announced the addition of transfer A’Tyanna Gaulden to the Razorback roster on Monday.

Gaulden joins Arkansas after her freshman season at Florida State. She will not play in 2017-18 due to NCAA transfer rules.

“Explosive, high IQ, great decision making guards are rare in women’s college basketball but we got one to be a Razorback today,” Neighbors said. “From the day that A’T announced her decision to transfer from Florida State, coach Todd Schaefer was relentless in pursuit of reaching her and her family.

“Once we made contact, we made an immediate connection like no other that I have ever experienced in recruiting. Her mother, Zenochia Johnson, and siblings Un’Naka Gaulden and Roniya Wynn have provided a wonderful support system for her to grow into the leader she is.

“Her coaches Sherri Harris at Americus Sumter HS and summer coach, and Godfather, Rick Jones have mentored A’T into a fierce competitor and caring teammate.

“Although she will sit a year in residency as a transfer, she will immediately impact our program challenging Malica Monk and Devin Cosper on a daily basis.

“A’Tyanna brings NCAA Tournament experience that is invaluable for those who have never experienced the tournament. She will remind Razorback fans of Brittany Vaughn, Cierra Ricketts, and Kamara Stancle. We are thrilled she is a Razorback.”

The 5-7 guard is originally from Ocilla, Georgia, where she averaged 20.9 points per game, 7.5 assists per game, 6.3 steals per game and 5.1 rebounds per game for Americus Sumter High School.

As a prep player, Gaulden was ranked sixth among all guard in the ESPNW 2016 recruiting class and was No. 23 overall. She was a five-star player who earned Atlanta Journal Constitution Player of the Year after her senior season.

In addition, Gaulden earned AJC First-Team honors in 2015 and 2016 while averaging 21.4 points, 6.8 assists, 4.3 steals and 4.6 rebounds per game in her junior season.

She paced Americus Sumter to a 29-2 record as a junior and the Elite Eight of the Georgia state playoffs.

As a freshman at Florida State, Gaulden came in off the bench in 21 games averaging 1.1 points, 0.6 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game in 5.7 minutes per contest. She was 7-of 15 from the floor and had 22 assists.