University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina Announces 2019 Signing Class
November 14, 2018 | Women's Basketball
CHAPEL HILL - The North Carolina women's basketball program announced the signing of three outstanding student-athletes on the first day of the national signing period, released Wednesday by Naismith Hall of Fame head coach Sylvia Hatchell.
The three-member signing class includes Nia Daniels (Harrisburg, N.C.), Lexi Duckett (Daytona Beach, Fla.) and Malu Tshitenge (Germantown, Md.).
"Lexi, Malu, and Nia will be great additions to our program," said Hatchell. "We addressed all of our needs that we wanted to fill with this class. We are excited about not only signing these great players but also adding three amazing families to the Carolina family."
Additionally, the Tar Heels will also have senior guard Madinah Muhammad on the court for the 2019-20 season. The Chicago native, who scored over 1,000 points at Ole Miss, is sitting out the 2018-19 campaign due to NCAA transfer regulations.
Nia Daniels • 5-10 • Guard • Harrisburg, N.C. • Hickory Ridge High School/1Dream
Three-star rated guard by ESPN • MVP at the Battle of the Boro in Summer 2018 • Three-time team captain at Hickory Ridge • 2017-18 Cabarrus County and Southwestern 4A Conference Player of the Year • Averaged 15 ppg and 6 rpg as a junior and led Hickory Ridge to third round of 4A state playoffs • SW4A Conference championship game MVP in 2017-18 • Hickory Ridge was state title runner-up in her 2017 sophomore season when she averaged 14.4 points and 5.4 rebounds • Daughter of Dwayne and Charmaine Daniel • Her father played basketball at Niagara University and then professionally overseas • Sister, Brijea Daniel, is a junior at UNC.
Why Nia Chose Carolina: "North Carolina is one of the top programs in the ACC, and I've been supported by the coaching staff since day one."
Hatchell on Daniels: "Nia is an explosive, athletic guard that can create for herself and her teammates. She can really score and rebound the basketball and has incredible potential that we are eager to help her reach. We are so excited about what she can accomplish at Carolina."
Coach Tolonda Simmons, Hickory Ridge HS: "I'm proud to have had the opportunity to coach Nia Daniel. Nia has helped put this young program on the map across the state. In three years on varsity, she is averaging 27 wins per season and should leave Hickory Ridge with the most wins overall for her career. Nia knew from the beginning she wanted to go to UNC and I'm so glad they were impressed enough with her character and basketball talent to offer her a scholarship."
Coach Ashley Rivens, One Dream Travel Team: "Everything a team needs to accomplish their goals are within the talents of Nia Daniel. UNC is getting a great young lady and I'm excited to continue to watch Nia grow over the next four years."
Lexi Duckett • 5-11 • Guard • Daytona Beach, Fla. • Father Lopez/DME Sports Academy
Three-star rated guard by ESPN • SIAA Player of the Year as a junior at DME Sports Academy after averaging 16 points, five rebounds and four assists per game • Named Team MVP at Father Lopez after averaging 21 ppg as a sophomore and was the team offensive player of the year with 19.4 ppg as a freshman • Set a Father Lopez school record by scoring 48 points during a 2017 playoff game • Daughter of Kim Amadon • Her godfather is former NFL safety Rondell Jones, who attended UNC in the early 1990s.
Why Lexi Chose Carolina: "UNC was one of the first colleges I visited as a little girl and fell in love with the campus back then. However, once it became a reality that I could attend Carolina, it all came down to which school checked all my boxes, and UNC did that. I couldn't find a reason for "why not", I knew I was ready to be a Tar Heel!
Hatchell on Duckett: "Lexi is an incredible scoring guard that can score the basketball at every level. She is a knock down shooter with an incredible work ethic. She plays the game with great speed that will be a perfect fit for our up-tempo style of play. We are ecstatic about her future with the Tar Heels."
Coach Michael Panaggio, DME Academy: "Lexi is a young lady who's had to fight for everything she's got. She's an extremely gifted, multi-sport athlete who is just scratching the surface of what she could become as a basketball player. Lexi can really score the ball at all three levels and has as good of a mid-range game as you will find in the women's game at any level. She's got a great motor and loves to compete. She has given me everything she's got on every possession for three years of AAU and two years of high school. She has started and built DME into a name nationally known throughout the country. Coach Hatchell and the rest of the staff are going to enjoy coaching Lexi for the next four years and I believe she can be a huge piece to the puzzle in helping UNC be a contender for ACC and national championships."
Malu Tshitenge • 6-3 • Forward • Germantown, Maryland • St. John's College High School/Fairfax Stars
No. 31 overall in the class by Blue Star Report • Four-star rated by ESPN • Led St. John's to a 32-2 record as a junior • Won the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title and a third straight District of Columbia State Athletic Association championship • Named second team All-Met after averaging a double-double as a junior with 13 points and 11 rebounds per game • Named to Nike Tournament of Champions All-First Team • Led Fairfax Stars EYBL to the EYBL Platinum Bracket Championship and was the only team undefeated in the Nike EYBL Session 1 in Hampton, Va., last spring • Led the EYBL circuit in offensive rebounding • Daughter of Lea Tshitenge and Tshitenge Mutombo • Niece of Dikembe Mutombo, an 18-year NBA veteran that was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.
Why Malu chose Carolina: "North Carolina is the perfect fit for me. With its prestigious academic programs and having the opportunity to play for one of the all-time great coaches, what more could I ask for?"
Hatchell on Tshitenge: "Malu is an athletic, long forward that will be really successful in our fast break. She runs the floor well and is an elite rebounder and great shot blocker. Malu will impact the game on both ends of the floor. We are thrilled she is coming to Carolina."
Coach Jonathan Scribner, St. John's College HS: "Malu was an instant program and culture changer the minute she stepped into our locker room her sophomore year. Her attitude, work ethic, leadership, and passion for the game was just infectious for everyone including the coaches. On the court, she has been an anchor on both sides of the floor, leading us to consecutive WCAC Conference Championships and top 5 national finishes. We're looking forward to an All-America year for her this coming season!"
Coach Tim Fudd, Fairfax Stars EYBL: "It has been such a joy to coach Malu since 8th grade. She was always the kid we would watch from across the gym, knowing that she had a tremendous upside and just needed the right place and coaches to grow with. What we didn't know is that she had this unbelievable personality coupled with a tremendous work ethic. She was instant family, another daughter for me and sister for each of her teammates. Over the last 4-5 years, Malu has grown into one of the best players in her position. Her impact on the team has been immeasurable, but with her on our team we instantly became one of the best teams in the country! I'm definitely looking forward to watching her continue to grow her game and have an impactful career at UNC! Go Heels!"
The three-member signing class includes Nia Daniels (Harrisburg, N.C.), Lexi Duckett (Daytona Beach, Fla.) and Malu Tshitenge (Germantown, Md.).
"Lexi, Malu, and Nia will be great additions to our program," said Hatchell. "We addressed all of our needs that we wanted to fill with this class. We are excited about not only signing these great players but also adding three amazing families to the Carolina family."
Additionally, the Tar Heels will also have senior guard Madinah Muhammad on the court for the 2019-20 season. The Chicago native, who scored over 1,000 points at Ole Miss, is sitting out the 2018-19 campaign due to NCAA transfer regulations.
Nia Daniels • 5-10 • Guard • Harrisburg, N.C. • Hickory Ridge High School/1Dream
Three-star rated guard by ESPN • MVP at the Battle of the Boro in Summer 2018 • Three-time team captain at Hickory Ridge • 2017-18 Cabarrus County and Southwestern 4A Conference Player of the Year • Averaged 15 ppg and 6 rpg as a junior and led Hickory Ridge to third round of 4A state playoffs • SW4A Conference championship game MVP in 2017-18 • Hickory Ridge was state title runner-up in her 2017 sophomore season when she averaged 14.4 points and 5.4 rebounds • Daughter of Dwayne and Charmaine Daniel • Her father played basketball at Niagara University and then professionally overseas • Sister, Brijea Daniel, is a junior at UNC.
Why Nia Chose Carolina: "North Carolina is one of the top programs in the ACC, and I've been supported by the coaching staff since day one."
Hatchell on Daniels: "Nia is an explosive, athletic guard that can create for herself and her teammates. She can really score and rebound the basketball and has incredible potential that we are eager to help her reach. We are so excited about what she can accomplish at Carolina."
Coach Tolonda Simmons, Hickory Ridge HS: "I'm proud to have had the opportunity to coach Nia Daniel. Nia has helped put this young program on the map across the state. In three years on varsity, she is averaging 27 wins per season and should leave Hickory Ridge with the most wins overall for her career. Nia knew from the beginning she wanted to go to UNC and I'm so glad they were impressed enough with her character and basketball talent to offer her a scholarship."
Coach Ashley Rivens, One Dream Travel Team: "Everything a team needs to accomplish their goals are within the talents of Nia Daniel. UNC is getting a great young lady and I'm excited to continue to watch Nia grow over the next four years."
Lexi Duckett • 5-11 • Guard • Daytona Beach, Fla. • Father Lopez/DME Sports Academy
Three-star rated guard by ESPN • SIAA Player of the Year as a junior at DME Sports Academy after averaging 16 points, five rebounds and four assists per game • Named Team MVP at Father Lopez after averaging 21 ppg as a sophomore and was the team offensive player of the year with 19.4 ppg as a freshman • Set a Father Lopez school record by scoring 48 points during a 2017 playoff game • Daughter of Kim Amadon • Her godfather is former NFL safety Rondell Jones, who attended UNC in the early 1990s.
Why Lexi Chose Carolina: "UNC was one of the first colleges I visited as a little girl and fell in love with the campus back then. However, once it became a reality that I could attend Carolina, it all came down to which school checked all my boxes, and UNC did that. I couldn't find a reason for "why not", I knew I was ready to be a Tar Heel!
Hatchell on Duckett: "Lexi is an incredible scoring guard that can score the basketball at every level. She is a knock down shooter with an incredible work ethic. She plays the game with great speed that will be a perfect fit for our up-tempo style of play. We are ecstatic about her future with the Tar Heels."
Coach Michael Panaggio, DME Academy: "Lexi is a young lady who's had to fight for everything she's got. She's an extremely gifted, multi-sport athlete who is just scratching the surface of what she could become as a basketball player. Lexi can really score the ball at all three levels and has as good of a mid-range game as you will find in the women's game at any level. She's got a great motor and loves to compete. She has given me everything she's got on every possession for three years of AAU and two years of high school. She has started and built DME into a name nationally known throughout the country. Coach Hatchell and the rest of the staff are going to enjoy coaching Lexi for the next four years and I believe she can be a huge piece to the puzzle in helping UNC be a contender for ACC and national championships."
Malu Tshitenge • 6-3 • Forward • Germantown, Maryland • St. John's College High School/Fairfax Stars
No. 31 overall in the class by Blue Star Report • Four-star rated by ESPN • Led St. John's to a 32-2 record as a junior • Won the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title and a third straight District of Columbia State Athletic Association championship • Named second team All-Met after averaging a double-double as a junior with 13 points and 11 rebounds per game • Named to Nike Tournament of Champions All-First Team • Led Fairfax Stars EYBL to the EYBL Platinum Bracket Championship and was the only team undefeated in the Nike EYBL Session 1 in Hampton, Va., last spring • Led the EYBL circuit in offensive rebounding • Daughter of Lea Tshitenge and Tshitenge Mutombo • Niece of Dikembe Mutombo, an 18-year NBA veteran that was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.
Why Malu chose Carolina: "North Carolina is the perfect fit for me. With its prestigious academic programs and having the opportunity to play for one of the all-time great coaches, what more could I ask for?"
Hatchell on Tshitenge: "Malu is an athletic, long forward that will be really successful in our fast break. She runs the floor well and is an elite rebounder and great shot blocker. Malu will impact the game on both ends of the floor. We are thrilled she is coming to Carolina."
Coach Jonathan Scribner, St. John's College HS: "Malu was an instant program and culture changer the minute she stepped into our locker room her sophomore year. Her attitude, work ethic, leadership, and passion for the game was just infectious for everyone including the coaches. On the court, she has been an anchor on both sides of the floor, leading us to consecutive WCAC Conference Championships and top 5 national finishes. We're looking forward to an All-America year for her this coming season!"
Coach Tim Fudd, Fairfax Stars EYBL: "It has been such a joy to coach Malu since 8th grade. She was always the kid we would watch from across the gym, knowing that she had a tremendous upside and just needed the right place and coaches to grow with. What we didn't know is that she had this unbelievable personality coupled with a tremendous work ethic. She was instant family, another daughter for me and sister for each of her teammates. Over the last 4-5 years, Malu has grown into one of the best players in her position. Her impact on the team has been immeasurable, but with her on our team we instantly became one of the best teams in the country! I'm definitely looking forward to watching her continue to grow her game and have an impactful career at UNC! Go Heels!"
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballWBB: Post-Elon Press Conference - Nov. 6, 2025
Friday, November 07
Hubert Davis Pre-Kansas Press Conference
Thursday, November 06
UNC Field Hockey: Tar Heels Drop Duke, 5-2, for Spot in ACC Final
Thursday, November 06
UNC Men's Soccer: Tar Heels Down Irish, 3-1, to Advance in ACCT
Thursday, November 06