MALIBU, California  – The Pepperdine women's basketball team is bringing in some Division I experience in Cornell transfer Theresa Grace Mbanefo, head coach Kristen Dowling announced today.
 
The 6-foot forward from Otsego, Minn., will graduate this spring from Cornell University and will pursue a master's degree at Pepperdine.
 
"Pepperdine has a beautiful campus, the #1 ranked master's program in my field of study, as well as an emerging women's basketball team," said Mbanefo. "I look forward to making an immediate impact and continuing to grow in my leadership with a basketball program that already has key pieces in place."
 
Mbanefo played three seasons in her four years at Cornell. She played in 76 career games and was named to the All-Ivy League honorable mention team in 2021-22 and the 2021-22 CoSIDA  Academic All-District team.
 
In her senior season, she led Cornell in scoring (11.5 ppg), rebounding (7.8 rpg), blocked shots (1.7 bpg) and field goal percentage (.484), ranking in the top five in the Ivy League in the latter three categories. She posted six double-doubles last season and had 16 double-figure scoring games, including a career-best 27 to go along with 13 rebounds against Binghamton. Mbanefo had 79 career blocked shots, which ranked her fifth on Cornell's all-time list.
 
"TG will bring great energy, defensive presence, toughness and leadership to our team," said Dowling.
 
Prior to playing at Cornell, she played at Blaine (Minn.) High School, where she served as team captain her senior year. She was a two-time all-conference selection.
 
Mbanefo is one of three newcomers thus far to the Waves, joining incoming freshmen KK Brodie and Drea Brumfield.