Taylor Sanders
Oakland Athletic Communications Intern

The Oakland women's basketball team rallied through a tough season of adversity but ended on a high note for the five graduating seniors.


Taylor Jones with family   
    
Guard Taylor Jones, a Detroit, Mich. native, graduated with a bachelor degree in communications with a minor in digital media, has big plans after graduation.
    "I will be going overseas to play," said Jones. "I would like to play in Australia because I really like the scenery and it shouldn't be to hard for me to adapt." 
Jones began playing basketball as a toddler running behind her two older brothers.
    "When I was young and able to walk, I always wanted to play behind them," she said.
Her mother, Fawn Jones, recalls a basketball game during her junior year in high school where she made the game-winning shot with 4.2 seconds left on the clock, and as the crowd erupted, she stood there in disbelief.
    "I am so incredibility proud of you and I know this is all you ever wanted," she said. "Keep on living your dreams and remember with God anything is possible."
Jones closed out her stellar career finishing eighth on the program's all-time scoring list with 1615 points and sixth all-time in free throws made with 349. She was named All-Horizon League Second Team to earn league honors in each of her four years at Oakland being named to the All-Freshman Team in 2015-16 and earning consecutive Sixth Man of the Year honors as a sophomore and junior.


LaKyesha Stennis with family 

    Shooting guard LaKyesha Stennis, who transferred to Oakland from Alabama, played in 30 games this season ranking 12th in the Horizon League in 3-points field goals made (46, 1.5) and 15th in 3-point field goal percentage (31.1). Stennis graduated with a bachelor degree in integrated studies and says basketball has been in her family for a long time.
    "I grew up playing ball because it was something we all just did," she said. "My favorite team is the LA Lakers and Diana Taurasi is my favorite player because she is a great athlete and where I want to be in the future."
Stennis says Coach Tungate has taught her some incredible things.
    "Coach tells us not to be too hard on ourselves," she said. "When we are going through adversity, he tells us there is always someone out there going through worst things than we are and that we should be grateful."
Stennis has played with dedication and determination. Her uncle, Brain Stark, says he can't verbalize exactly how proud he is of her.
    "It has been an honor for me to watch you grow from a little girl into the young woman you are today. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your development, your collegiate journey and your life. Good luck, you have a bright future ahead of you."


Nikita Telesford with family   

    Forward Nikita Telesford, a Pickering, Ontario Native, earned a bachelor degree in marketing after playing basketball for three years. Telesford saw action in 30 games with 26 starts and ranked tied 14th in the Horizon League in offensive rebounds per game (2.0). Growing up Nikita was always taller than everyone and was told that she was going to be a basketball player.
    "I have five brothers who are all into sports," she said. "I got a start late in the eighth grade but knew that's what I wanted to do."
Telesford says her favorite highlight of the season comes after tying her career-high for scoring and her mom having her mom there.
    "She has always been my number one fan and has always been there for me," she said. "Even though she's in another country, she's always just a phone call away."
Her mother, Gillian Telesford, wishes Nikita nothing but the best.
    "Your dad and I are so very proud of you and you have lived up to all our dreams. And now that you are beginning a new phase in your life, I know you will be just as successful in the future as you have been in the past," she said. "Go forth Niki and continue to make us proud.  We love you and remember the sky is the limit, reach for the stars and then stretch just that little bit higher."


Mercy Agwaniru with coaching staff

    Forward Mercy Agwaniru played in 29 games this season and led the team with 33 blocks and also tied for fourth in the Horizon League in blocked shots (1.1). Growing up playing soccer, Agwaniru made the switch to basketball after coaches realized how tall she was.
    "I made the switch after my coach told me to give it a try," she said. "I did and I liked it."
Agwaniru wants to be remembered as someone who makes people laughed.
    "I don't want them to forget the laughter I have brought in and as a person someone who is optimistic," she said.
Agwaniru comes from Lagos, Nigeria, with a big family who she doesn't get to see as often but her friend Ruth has become like family for her here in the states.
    "We try to spend holidays and birthdays together. She is hard working, smart and is not fake," Ruth said. "I wish her all the best life gets to offer because she has worked for it. She is not my blood, but she is my heart."
    Agwaniru graduated with a bachelor degree in public health with a 3.80 GPA. At the fifth annual Black and Gold awards, she was awarded the Hollie L. Lepley Award which is a prestigious award that recognizes senior student-athletes that accomplish high achievement in athletics, academics and in the community that truly embody what it means to be a student-athlete at Oakland University.


Sidney Santos with family

    Forward and Geneva, Ill. native, Sidney Santos, earned a bachelor degree in elementary education says basketball was just in her blood.
    "I grew up in a basketball family. My mom played at Wichita State University, my dad played professionally in Puerto Rico, my older sister played Division I basketball as well as professionally overseas," Santos said. "My younger brother plays at Missouri and the youngest is getting Division I offers as his career begins to take off."
Santos' high school coach Sarah Meadows has impacted her life the most.
    "She has always been that person since the day I met her who genuinely believed in me and saw the best in me. She humbles me to remain the best version of myself," she said. "I couldn't be more grateful for being so close to such an authentic person."
Santos was injured in 2017 and was no longer able to play but is grateful to be honored as a senior.
    "It was still a complete honor to be recognized as a senior on this basketball team and I credit that to Coach Tungate. Every player enters college envisioning what their career will look like and what they want to accomplish. Unfortunately for me that was cut short," she said. "No one expects to wake up one day and be told that they will never be able to play the game they love. So, to still feel like a big part of the program, even though I couldn't physically step foot on the court, is something I will never take for granted during my time at Oakland."
    Whether they are venturing off overseas to play basketball, starting work towards their master's degree or teaching English in another country, these women left their legacy at Oakland by setting positive examples and blazing trails for others to follow.


2019 Women's Basketball Senior Class

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