From the moment Cameron Newbauer was announced as Florida women’s basketball coach last March, he and his staff have searched the globe to find talented individuals with high character, strong work ethic and a desire for excellence both on and off the court.
Newbauer announced that four more student-athletes who enhance the program’s ideals have signed a National Letter of Intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at the University of Florida.
Emanuely “Manu†De Oliveira, Kristina Moore, Paige Robinson and Kiara “Kiki†Smith made their commitment official on Wednesday, as they join Ariel Johnson as members of the Gators’ 2018-19 incoming class. Johnson signed during the early period in November.
De Oliveira, Moore and Johnson have four years of eligibility at UF beginning in the 2018-19 season, while Robinson has two years and Smith three.
A Glance at the Four Signees
- Emanuely “Manu†De Oliveira (5-10 / Guard / San Paulo, Brazil / Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah))
- Kristina Moore (6-1 / Forward / Sydney, Australia / Abbotsleigh School)
- Paige Robinson (6-4 / Forward / London, England / Midland College)
- Kiara “Kiki†Smith (5-10 / Guard / District Heights, MD / ASA College)
UF Coach Cameron Newbauer on the four new UF signees:
“We are excited to announce the addition of four signees to our 2018 class. Manu, Kristina, Paige and Kiki are diligent workers in the classroom and on the court. They will make an immediate impact within our culture and the campus community.â€
Meet the New Gators
Emanuely “Manu†De Oliveira (5-10 / Guard / San Paulo, Brazil / Wasatch Academy [Mount Pleasant, Utah])
Senior Year (2017-18):
- Averaged nearly a triple-double with 19 points per game, 11 rebounds and 7 steals per game
- Utah 2A champions entering the state playoffs, where the Tigers won a first-round game for the first time in program history
- Team finished 21-1
- Awards: 2A All-Tournament Team, 2A First Team All-State
International Experience:
- Member of the U17 Brazilian National Team in 2016
- Also competed on the U15 and U16 Brazilian National Teams
- Won a gold medal with the U15 Brazilian team at the 2014 South American Championships (averaged 8.2 points, 7.4 rebounds)
- Won a silver medal at the 2015 FIBA Americas U16 Championships (averaged 9.4 points, 6.2 rebounds) that qualified the team for the U17 World Championships – De Oliveira scored nine points with four rebounds in 32 minutes during Brazil’s 72-63 upset win over the United States in the semifinals
UF Coach Cameron Newbauer on Emanuely “Manu†De Oliveira:
“With Manu De Oliveira, we are adding a player who can play the 1, 2 or 3. She has great size and strength for a guard and comes to Gainesville with international playing experience with the Brazilian national team.â€
Emanuely “Manu†De Oliveira on becoming a Gator:
“I’m on my way towards my goals, a new beginning and a new family to be proud of. I am excited to be a Florida Gator.â€
Kristina Moore (6-2 / Forward / Sydney, Australia / Abbotsleigh School)
Of Note:
- Rated as the No. 6 international prospect by ProspectsNation.com International ELITE 25 for the 2018 class
- Competed with the Hornsby Spiders in Australia from 2011-17
- Played in the Waratah League where she was awarded 2017 Waratah League Rookie of the Year
- Won a gold medal her junior year playing with New South Wales at the School Sport Australia basketball championships
- Competed at the 2017 Australian U20 Basketball Championships
- Competed for NSW at the Basketball Australia national championships at Under 18 and Under 20 level
- In 2017 was part of the NSW Under 20’s that won the silver medal
- In 2015, went on a short term school exchange to Ridley College in Ontario, Canada, where as a sophomore led the team to victory at the Canadian Independent Schools national tournament
- Named MVP of Canadian Independent Schools national tournament MVP, was part of the tournament All Star 5 (All-Tournament)
- Ridley College MVP
- Junior year was named 2016 Abbotsleigh Sportswoman of the Year
- A talented discus thrower, she ranked No. 7 in the IAAF World U18 discus rankings
- Represented Australia at the 2015 Youth Commonwealth Games in Samoa and won gold in the discus throw
- Plans to throw discus at UF
UF Coach Cameron Newbauer on Kristina Moore:
“Kristina Moore is a well-rounded athlete who plays with a great amount of toughness. She is a versatile forward with the ability to score at the rim or from the perimeter. Kristina will provide added depth and charisma to our roster.â€
Kristina Moore on becoming a Gator:
“I’m so excited and honored to become a Gator this fall. I am looking forward to working with Coach Cam and his team to become the best student-athlete I can. I hope to bring high energy and aggressive play to The Gator Nation!â€
Paige Robinson (6-4 / Forward / London, England / Midland College)
Of Note:
- Attended and played at Midland (Texas) College the last two years
- Has two years of eligibility remaining at UF
Sophomore Year at Midland (2017-18):
- Played in 27 games, starting 20; averaged 5.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 18.6 minutes
- The Lady Chaparrals went 18-11
International Experience:
- FIBA U20 European Championships – Division B 2016 (Great Britain)
- U18 European Championships – Division B 2015 (England)
- U18 European Championships – Division B 2013 (England)
UF Coach Cameron Newbauer on Paige Robinson:
“We are gaining size, length and high character with Paige Robinson’s addition to our program. At 6-4, she has a great motor and very good mobility. She brings international playing experience, having competed for the Great Britain national team.â€
Paige Robinson on becoming a Gator:
“To become a Gator means the world to me. Florida women’s basketball is centered around hard-working individuals striving for the same goal. I’m excited to join the family because every individual is unique and brings something special to the table in order to help the team be successful. I’m over the moon that I am going to be one of those individuals.â€
Kiara “Kiki†Smith (5-10 / Guard / Upper Marlboro, Md. / ASA College (NY))
Of Note:
- spent the last two years at ASA College in New York, competing only during her sophomore year due to injury and has three years of eligibility remaining at UF
- rated at the No. 16 player in the country by Prospect Nation at the start of the 2014-15 season.
Sophomore Year at ASA College (2017-18):
- played in 22 of 24 games, starting 21; averaged 16.7 points (led team), 5.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists (led team), 4.8 steals (led team), while shooting 50.4 percent from the floor
- Lady Avengers earned an at-large berth into the NJCAA National Tournament where they dropped a 62-59 overtime heartbreaker to New Mexico Junior College
- Team finished with a 22-2 overall record
Prep Career:
- attended and played for Forestville (MD) Military Academy
- 2016 Maryland 1A State Champions
- 2015 Maryland 1A State Champions
UF Coach Cameron Newbauer on Kiara “Kiki†Smith:
“Kiara “Kiki†Smith is point guard who plays with tremendous toughness. Her size and length, as a guard, provide her with the ability to affect the game on both ends of the floor. She has a knack for attacking the rim in the open court and finding the open player with her court awareness.â€
Kiara “Kiki†Smith on becoming a Gator:
“I chose Florida because I feel like it’s the perfect fit for me. I love the team, the coaches and the entire environment of the school. I’m excited to grow as a player and as a person wearing Orange and Blue.â€
Florida’s 2018-19 Incoming Class
- *Ariel Johnson (5-9 / Guard / Stockton, Calif. / St. Mary’s HS)
- Emanuely “Manu†De Oliveira (5-10 / Guard / San Paulo, Brazil / Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah))
- Kristina Moore (6-1 / Forward / Sydney, Australia / Abbotsleigh School)
- Paige Robinson (6-4 / Forward / London, England / Midland College)
- Kiara “Kiki†Smith (5-10 / Guard / District Heights, MD / ASA College)
*Signed during early period (Nov. 2017)
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