University of Houston Athletics
Houston Holds First Practice of 2020-21 Season
10/14/2020 4:57:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Cougars return to the court for first official practice of season
HOUSTON – The University of Houston Women's Basketball team opened practice for the 2020-21 season Wednesday afternoon inside the Fertitta Center.
The three-hours practice marked the first time the squad engaged in an official practice since March, following the 2020 American Athletic Conference Championships.
Houston welcomes five newcomers this season, including two transfers.
"When you talk about a new season, you always want to be able to have the culture that your building carry-on," Head Coach Ronald Hughey said. "I thought we did a great job of getting some character kids and kids who understand what our culture is. We have them in the gym shooting, doing things on their own and helping teammates understand what we're doing on the floor. The energy is different, and the attitude is different. I think the pandemic helped us, because this was taken away from them and now, they are eager to get back to it. It makes the coaches job just a little bit easier."
NEWCOMER PREVIEW
The freshman class features a trio of Houston natives, Laila Blair, Kamryn Jones and Tae'Lor Purvis join the Cougars for their first collegiate season after closing out decorated high school careers. Blair comes to Houston ranked 85th overall in the 2020 HoopGurlz recruiting rankings and 26th in her position. The McDonalds All-America nominee competed at Waller High School, helping the Lady Bulldogs to a Bi-District Championship and their best record in 30 years at 28-8. Purvis enters her freshman season at Houston following a decorated career at Hightower High School. A McDonald's All-America nominee, Purvis is a three-time District Champion, TABC All-Region selection and 2018-19 District Offensive Player of the Year. Jones rounds out the freshman class for the Cougars, joining the Houston front court. A four-year letterwinner and multi-sport athlete at Magnolia West, Jones is a First Team All-State selection, First Team All-District selection and 2019 District Defensive Most Valuable Player.
The Houston coaching staff completed the 2020 signing class with junior transfers Ca'Leyah Burrell and Daphane White.
Burrell joins the Cougars following a two-year stint at Jacksonville Junior College where she led the Jaguars in scoring during the 2019-20 season, averaging 16.3 points per game and was second on the team in assists with 1.2 per game. The Houston front court gets another boost with the addition of White. The 6-5, junior appeared in all 24 games for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Bulldogs averaging a 15.7 points and 11 rebound double-double. White racked up 12 double-doubles during the 2019-20 season and was named the eighth NJCAA All-American in MGCCC program history.
WHO'S BACK FOR THE COUGARS
Houston returns four of its five starters from the 2019-20 season, including leading returning scorer junior Dymond Gladney. Gladney had a breakout year, averaging 11.7 points per game an improvement from her freshman season when she averaged 1.8 points per game. Gladney played crucial minutes for the Cougars, averaging a team-high 37.1 minutes per game.
Julia Blackshell-Fair returns for her senior season after appearing in all 31 games last season. The senior was second on the team in minutes played and nearly double her offensive output from the previous season averaging 10.1 points per game and was first on the team in assists with 3.9 per game.
Junior forward Tatyana Hill emerged as a force in the front court for the Cougars during the 2019-20 season. The junior started all 31 games, averaging 10.9 points per game and a team-high 6.5 boards per game.
HOUSTON MOVES TO ONLINE TICKETING
With mobile ticketing, Houston Athletics fans will enjoy various benefits, including reduced wait lines and quicker access into event venues, eliminating printing, delivery, loss or stolen tickets along with more convenient access and options in managing of tickets.
From their digital wallets, fans can scan their mobile devices at the entrance for quick and easy venue access. For more information click HERE.
FOLLOW THE COUGARS!
Fans can receive daily information and in-game updates by following @UHCougarWBB on Twitter. Fans can also catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at facebook.com/UHCougarWBB.
--UHCougars.com--
The three-hours practice marked the first time the squad engaged in an official practice since March, following the 2020 American Athletic Conference Championships.
Houston welcomes five newcomers this season, including two transfers.
"When you talk about a new season, you always want to be able to have the culture that your building carry-on," Head Coach Ronald Hughey said. "I thought we did a great job of getting some character kids and kids who understand what our culture is. We have them in the gym shooting, doing things on their own and helping teammates understand what we're doing on the floor. The energy is different, and the attitude is different. I think the pandemic helped us, because this was taken away from them and now, they are eager to get back to it. It makes the coaches job just a little bit easier."
NEWCOMER PREVIEW
The freshman class features a trio of Houston natives, Laila Blair, Kamryn Jones and Tae'Lor Purvis join the Cougars for their first collegiate season after closing out decorated high school careers. Blair comes to Houston ranked 85th overall in the 2020 HoopGurlz recruiting rankings and 26th in her position. The McDonalds All-America nominee competed at Waller High School, helping the Lady Bulldogs to a Bi-District Championship and their best record in 30 years at 28-8. Purvis enters her freshman season at Houston following a decorated career at Hightower High School. A McDonald's All-America nominee, Purvis is a three-time District Champion, TABC All-Region selection and 2018-19 District Offensive Player of the Year. Jones rounds out the freshman class for the Cougars, joining the Houston front court. A four-year letterwinner and multi-sport athlete at Magnolia West, Jones is a First Team All-State selection, First Team All-District selection and 2019 District Defensive Most Valuable Player.
The Houston coaching staff completed the 2020 signing class with junior transfers Ca'Leyah Burrell and Daphane White.
Burrell joins the Cougars following a two-year stint at Jacksonville Junior College where she led the Jaguars in scoring during the 2019-20 season, averaging 16.3 points per game and was second on the team in assists with 1.2 per game. The Houston front court gets another boost with the addition of White. The 6-5, junior appeared in all 24 games for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Bulldogs averaging a 15.7 points and 11 rebound double-double. White racked up 12 double-doubles during the 2019-20 season and was named the eighth NJCAA All-American in MGCCC program history.
WHO'S BACK FOR THE COUGARS
Houston returns four of its five starters from the 2019-20 season, including leading returning scorer junior Dymond Gladney. Gladney had a breakout year, averaging 11.7 points per game an improvement from her freshman season when she averaged 1.8 points per game. Gladney played crucial minutes for the Cougars, averaging a team-high 37.1 minutes per game.
Julia Blackshell-Fair returns for her senior season after appearing in all 31 games last season. The senior was second on the team in minutes played and nearly double her offensive output from the previous season averaging 10.1 points per game and was first on the team in assists with 3.9 per game.
Junior forward Tatyana Hill emerged as a force in the front court for the Cougars during the 2019-20 season. The junior started all 31 games, averaging 10.9 points per game and a team-high 6.5 boards per game.
HOUSTON MOVES TO ONLINE TICKETING
With mobile ticketing, Houston Athletics fans will enjoy various benefits, including reduced wait lines and quicker access into event venues, eliminating printing, delivery, loss or stolen tickets along with more convenient access and options in managing of tickets.
From their digital wallets, fans can scan their mobile devices at the entrance for quick and easy venue access. For more information click HERE.
FOLLOW THE COUGARS!
Fans can receive daily information and in-game updates by following @UHCougarWBB on Twitter. Fans can also catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at facebook.com/UHCougarWBB.
--UHCougars.com--
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballPostgame- Utah (Jan. 17, 2026)
Saturday, January 17
Postgame- Texas Tech (Jan. 13, 2026)
Tuesday, January 13
Postgame- BYU (Jan. 10, 2026)
Saturday, January 10
Postgame- Kansas State (Jan. 07, 2026)
Wednesday, January 07