During much of the transfer season, Adia Barnes, the head coach of Arizona, has been recruiting players with at least two years left to play for the Wildcats, allowing them ample time for development. Earlier on Wednesday, Barnes secured another addition through the transfer portal.
This latest addition by Barnes sets itself apart. Ajae Yoakum, formerly of Florida International and Eastern Arizona College, joins as a graduate transfer, immediately bringing valuable experience to the team.
Yoakum spent the last two years at FIU after commencing her career in Thatcher, Ariz., at EAC. She earned All-CUSA honorable mention in her final season with the Panthers.
In the previous season, Yoakum participated in 19 games for FIU before an injury sidelined her. The 6-foot forward started 15 games, averaging 28.1 minutes per game. In the 2022-23 season, she played in all 33 games, starting 15, with an average of 21.3 minutes per game.
Over her two seasons at FIU, Yoakum maintained averages of 7.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.4 blocks in 23.8 minutes per game, shooting 48.5 percent from the field. Her three-point shooting stood at 13 percent, and she had a free throw percentage of 67.3 in her senior season. In her final year, she averaged 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.5 blocks in 28.1 minutes per game.
Originally from Portland, Ore., Yoakum has connections to a former Wildcat from Oregon who has endorsed her addition to the team.
