BALTIMORE – Coppin State head women's basketball coach Laura Harper moved quickly in turning over the Eagles roster as she added five new players for the upcoming season. Among the newcomers are graduate transfers Nailah Delinois (Sunrise, Fla. / Saint Joseph's University) and Roni Richardson (Alabaster, Ala. / Auburn University Montgomery), junior college transfers Toni Blanford (Montclair, N.J. / Monroe College) and Rebecca Wilson (Mount Vernon, N.Y. / Independence CC) and early-signee Hope Evans (Bowie, Md. / Bishop McNamara HS).

 
Nailah Delinois
5-9 | Guard | Redshirt Senior
Sunrise, Fla. | Northeast HS | Saint Joseph's University
 
A three-time All-State selection, Delinois was ranked 75^th nationally among guards by HoopGurlz coming out of Northeast High School in Florida. Delinois appeared in 51 career games at Saint Joseph's University after missing the first two seasons due to injury. During this past season with the Hawks, Delinois averaged 3.4 points and 2.8 rebounds which included a career game against George Washington University where she put up 14 points with a pair of 3-pointers along and three steals. She also had big games against Temple and George Mason and received SJU's Best Defensive Player Award following the season.
 
"Nailah brings experience, size and strength at the wing position," Harper, who enters her first season as the Eagles head coach, said. "She is a tireless worker with three-point range that is ready to impact the MEAC immediately."
 
Roni Richardson
5-4 | Guard | Redshirt Senior
Alabaster, Ala. | John Carroll Catholic HS | Auburn University at Montgomery
 
Richardson comes to the Eagles by way of Auburn University at Montgomery, A NCAA Division II program that competes in the highly competitive Gulf South Conference. A native of Alabaster, Ala., Richardson averaged 3.8 points while dishing out 31 assists while appearing in all 28 games for the Warhawks at the point. Richardson played her first two collegiate seasons at Shorter University and saw action in 49 games with six starts while averaging 3.4 points and 1.5 assists. An 1,100-point scorer in high school at John Carroll Catholic, Richardson was a four-time Over the Mountain and All-Area selection and led her 4x400m Relay team to a 5A State Championship.
 
"Roni is a dynamic, lightning quick scoring point guard that brings depth and experience to our roster," Harper said. "We are lucky to bring in such a proven hard worker to our family." 
 
Toni Blanford
6-0 | Forward | Sophomore
Montclair, N.J. | The Patrick School | Monroe College
 
In her lone season at Monroe College in New Rochelle, N.Y., Blanford did it all for the Mustangs, averaging 8.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and nearly two assists per game.  A native of Montclair, N.J., Blanford scored in double figures ten times with a pair of 20-point games, hit 37 3-pointers, notched a double-double and was credited with 40 assists.  Blanford attended three schools in four years in high school, leading Immaculate Conception High School to an Essex County Semifinal as a junior before taking The Patrick School to a Union County Championship as a senior.  Blanford was a First Team All-Division selection at Immaculate Conception where she put up 20.1 points and 14.3 rebounds per game.
 
"Toni is a dynamic 3-point shooter who brings versatility to multiple positions," Harper said. "She also provides great size and toughness.
 
Rebecca Wilson
6-4 | Forward/Center | Sophomore
Mount Vernon, N.Y. | Mount Vernon HS | Independence CC
 
This past season, Wilson played junior college basketball at Independence Community College in Kansas and saw action in every game at center.  Wilson put up over two points and three rebounds per contest for the Pirates.  Wilson was a two-time Most Improved Player at Mount Vernon High School where she averaged a double-double as a senior.
 
"Rebecca is a 6-foot-4 warrior," Harper said. "She has bought into the process and wants to be a part of a successful team.
 
Hope Evans
5-4 | Guard | Freshman
Bowie, Md. | Bishop McNamara HS
 
Evans was a multi-year starter at point guard for Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville, Md., and led the Mustangs to a Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Championship as a senior. Evans was an All-WCAC selection as a senior and helped the Mustangs to 95 wins in her four seasons. The Mustangs were ranked seventh-nationally following the season by MaxPreps.
 
"Hope played for one of the most prestigious high school teams in America in Bishop McNamara out of Maryland," Harper said. "She is a proven champion and competitor whose quickness is unmatched."
 
Coppin State returns two starters and eight letterwinners from last season's squad, including juniors Aliyah Lawson and Jalynda Salley, as well as sophomore Alexandria Hamilton, who received MEAC All-Rookie Team honors.