Eastern Michigan Athletics
Signing Day: Women’s Hoops Adds Four to 2025-26 Roster
11/18/2024 10:08:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Four current high school seniors set to join the program this summer
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Sahar Nusseibeh, head coach of the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team, has announced her first signing class, Nov. 18, as four individuals have signed Athletic Financial Aid Agreements to continue their academic and athletic careers with the Eagles. All four members of the class are currently in their senior seasons and will be eligible to join the EMU program in time for the 2025-26 academic and athletic season.
"This Class of 2025 is incredibly special for Eastern women's basketball," Nusseibeh said. "We talk daily about what it means to be different, to be a winner on and off the court. All four of our signees are built different in the best way possible. They understand not just what we are creating here, but how we are building, and they will elevate us from Day 1. Our future is extremely bright with the additions of Adrena Gordon, Alli Zajac, Believe Tshibangu, and Peyton Hill."
The class includes several highly successful players set to join the Eagles, including 5-foot-11 guard Adrena Gordon (Akron, Ohio/Example Academy); 5-foot-10 guard Peyton Hill (St. Louis, Mo./Incarnate Word Academy); 6-foot forward Believe Tshibangu (Courtice, Ontario/Royal Crown School); and 6-foot-2 forward Alli Zajac (Tecumseh, Mich./Tecumseh). Two of the players, Gordon and Zajac, hail from Mid-American Conference families as Gordon's sister, Imani Gordon, is an assistant coach for the women's team at Northern Illinois University while Zajac will become a second generation EMU basketball player following the lead of her parents, three-year player Jon Zajac (1995-98) and the former Kristy Maska (1997-01), who ranks No. 18 on the EMU women's all-time scoring list (1,228 points).
Collectively, the quartet brings a wealth of experience, both in high school and club action, including Hill, whose IWA program is a powerhouse in the state of Missouri and nationally as the program has won four consecutive Missouri Class 6 crowns with Hill playing on the previous three squads. Additionally, all four have been honored with regional and local honors for their play on the hardwood.
Gordon hails from Akron, Ohio, and has played her prep career at Example Academy in Frankfort, Ill., a program that has captured a pair of Independent School national titles. Gordon comes from a family that is quite familiar with college basketball as her sister, Imani, played at Cleveland State and coaches at Northern Illinois.
"Drena is a versatile guard who can score on multiple levels," Nusseibeh said. "She competes with so much joy and has committed fully to her development over the years. Drena brings a contagious energy, mentality, and smile to all she does. We are thrilled that Drena Gordon is an Eagle!"
Hill has been a big contributor to the recent success for Incarnate Word Academy, who have captured 14 Missouri Class 6 titles in their history, including four consecutive. With three state titles in hand, Hill will look to cap her prep career with a fourth championship with the Red Knights. She has twice been named first-team all-tournament at the state competition and twice more in the district competitions. Hill also has played with the club team, Napheesa Collier Elite, and helped them to three titles at the Run 4 Rose Gold Championships while earning a spot on the all-tournament team as well.
"Peyton hails from a national powerhouse and understands what success requires," Nusseibeh stated. "She is a combo guard who can score at all three levels as well as create for her team. Her skill set, natural ability, and basketball IQ make for a lethal combination. We are so excited to welcome Peyton to the family!"
Tshibangu brings a wealth of experience at the prep and club levels to Ypsilanti. After spending her first three years at Chareles Granier, she recently transferred to play at Royal Crown School in Toronto for a program that has been one of the premier teams in Canada. She also has played for Team Ontario and recently helped her squad to the gold medal at the 2024 Canada Basketball U17 National Championships.
"Believe is an incredibly athletic forward who strives to outwork everyone," Nusseibeh said. "Her strengths of playing up tempo, along with her ability to rebound and defend, will add so much value to our team. Believe is fully committed to the success of her team and we are so grateful she is with us!"
Zajac, like her mother and current head coach, is no stranger to scoring the basketball. In just three years with Tecumseh, the top five finisher in the voting for Ms. Michigan stands as her school's all-time leading scorer and holds program records for made field goals, made two-point field goals, made three-point field goals, made free throws, points scored in a single season, and points per game average. A three-time all-state, all-county, and all-conference performer, she has twice been named the county's top player.
"Alli will step on the court next season and instantly highlight her ability to thrive in our system," Nusseibeh stated. "She is all in when it comes to being an EMU Eagle and we cannot wait to witness and be a part of the legacy she creates here. As a Michigan native, she will no doubt be a fan favorite!"
While the fan base will have to wait until next season to see the newest Eagles, the current team has already begun its season and returns to action Nov. 21 when the Mastodons of Purdue University Fort Wayne come to town. The game is slated for a 6:30 p.m. tip inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center and will stream live on ESPN+.
2025-26 Eastern Michigan Women's Basketball Signing Class
Name • Height • Position • Hometown (High School)
Adrena Gordon • 5-11 • G • Akron, Ohio (Example Academy)
Peyton Hill • 5-10 • G • St. Louis, Mo. (Incarnate Word Academy)
Believe Tshibangu • 6-0 • F • Courtice, Ontario, Canada (ESC St. Charles Garnier)
Alli Zajac • 6-2 • F • Tecumseh, Mich. (Tecumseh HS)
2025-26 Signee Biographies
Adrena Gordon
5-11 • Freshman • Guard
Akron, Ohio (Example Academy)
EMU: 2025-26: Has signed an Athletic Financial Aid Agreement to join the Eagles for the 2025-26 season… HIGH SCHOOL: Currently attends Example Academy and plays for the Eagles under head coach Barry Bradford… Has lettered twice in basketball at EA… PERSONAL: Full Name: Adrena Charniece Gordon… Daughter of Charles Gordon and Adrena Marshall… Has five siblings, including brothers Charlesten, Sir Charles, and Charles Jr., and sisters Imani and Dianca… Her sister, Imani, played collegiately at Cleveland State and is currently an assistant coach at MAC foe Northern Illinois… Nursing major.
Peyton Hill
5-10 • Freshman • Guard
St. Louis, Mo. (Incarnate Word Academy)
EMU: 2025-26: Has signed an Athletic Financial Aid Agreement to join the Eagles for the 2025-26 season... HIGH SCHOOL: Currently attends Incarnate Word Academy and plays for the Red Knights under head coach Dan Rolfes… The program has won 14 state titles, including four consecutive and Hill has been a member of the past three Missouri Class 6 state titles (2022, 2023, and 2024)… Twice named first-team all-tournament at the state competitions and twice at the district level… Also plays for Napheesa Collier Elite under head coach Jordan Olufson… She has helped NCE to the Run 4 Roses Gold Championship title three times and was named to the all-tournament team… PERSONAL: Full Name: Peyton Olivia Hill… Daughter of Keilon and Erica Hill… Has three siblings, including brothers Christian and Keilon Jr., and sister Meadow… Business Marketing major.
Believe Tshibangu
6-0 • Freshman • Forward
Courtice, Ontario, Canada (Royal Crown School)
EMU: 2025-26: Has signed an Athletic Financial Aid Agreement to join the Eagles for the 2025-26 season… HIGH SCHOOL: Currently attends Royal Crown School after previously playing at ESC St. Charles Garnier the previous three years under head coach Lee Anna Osei… Was a member of Team Ontario and helped her team to the 2024 Canada Baksetball U17 National Championship gold medal... Played for the club team, Sisterskeeper, for three years under head coach Patrick Falduti… Also has competed in athletics (track & field) in the 100m and 200m sprint events… PERSONAL: Full Name: Believe Murielle Nseya Tshibangu… Daughter of Willy Tshinbangu and Emilia Moudiongui… Has three siblings, including brothers Jeremiah and Benjahmin, and sister Joyce… Nursing major.
Alli Zajac
6-2 • Freshman • Forward
Tecumseh, Mich. (Tecumseh HS)
EMU: 2025-26: Has signed an Athletic Financial Aid Agreement to join the Eagles for the 2025-26 season… HIGH SCHOOL: Currently attends Tecumseh High School and plays under head coach Kristy Zajac, her mother… Heading into her senior season, she is the school's all-time leading scorer while also holding records for made field goals, made three-point field goals, made free throws, points in a single season, and points per game average… A top five finisher in the Ms. Michigan voting, she has earned first-team honors at the state, county, and league level in all three years she has played and twice has been named the county's player of the year… Zajac also has helped the team to one regional title, three district championships, and one league crown on the hardwood… At the club level, she competed for Michigan Premier… Away from basketball, Zajac was a four-year member of the volleyball team where she earned all-league and all-county honors… She also competed in the short sprints on the track team, running the 100m, 4x100m, and 4x200m events… PERSONAL: Full Name: Alli Lynn Zajac… Daughter of Jon and Kristy Zajac… Has three siblings, including brother Ryder and sisters Avery and Addi… Both of her parents played basketball at Eastern Michigan with mom, the former Kristy Maska, ranking No. 18 all-time in EMU scoring (1,228 points) and No. 2 in made three-pointers (215) and earning All-MAC Second Team honors in 1998-99… Architecture major.
"This Class of 2025 is incredibly special for Eastern women's basketball," Nusseibeh said. "We talk daily about what it means to be different, to be a winner on and off the court. All four of our signees are built different in the best way possible. They understand not just what we are creating here, but how we are building, and they will elevate us from Day 1. Our future is extremely bright with the additions of Adrena Gordon, Alli Zajac, Believe Tshibangu, and Peyton Hill."
The class includes several highly successful players set to join the Eagles, including 5-foot-11 guard Adrena Gordon (Akron, Ohio/Example Academy); 5-foot-10 guard Peyton Hill (St. Louis, Mo./Incarnate Word Academy); 6-foot forward Believe Tshibangu (Courtice, Ontario/Royal Crown School); and 6-foot-2 forward Alli Zajac (Tecumseh, Mich./Tecumseh). Two of the players, Gordon and Zajac, hail from Mid-American Conference families as Gordon's sister, Imani Gordon, is an assistant coach for the women's team at Northern Illinois University while Zajac will become a second generation EMU basketball player following the lead of her parents, three-year player Jon Zajac (1995-98) and the former Kristy Maska (1997-01), who ranks No. 18 on the EMU women's all-time scoring list (1,228 points).
Collectively, the quartet brings a wealth of experience, both in high school and club action, including Hill, whose IWA program is a powerhouse in the state of Missouri and nationally as the program has won four consecutive Missouri Class 6 crowns with Hill playing on the previous three squads. Additionally, all four have been honored with regional and local honors for their play on the hardwood.
Gordon hails from Akron, Ohio, and has played her prep career at Example Academy in Frankfort, Ill., a program that has captured a pair of Independent School national titles. Gordon comes from a family that is quite familiar with college basketball as her sister, Imani, played at Cleveland State and coaches at Northern Illinois.
"Drena is a versatile guard who can score on multiple levels," Nusseibeh said. "She competes with so much joy and has committed fully to her development over the years. Drena brings a contagious energy, mentality, and smile to all she does. We are thrilled that Drena Gordon is an Eagle!"
Hill has been a big contributor to the recent success for Incarnate Word Academy, who have captured 14 Missouri Class 6 titles in their history, including four consecutive. With three state titles in hand, Hill will look to cap her prep career with a fourth championship with the Red Knights. She has twice been named first-team all-tournament at the state competition and twice more in the district competitions. Hill also has played with the club team, Napheesa Collier Elite, and helped them to three titles at the Run 4 Rose Gold Championships while earning a spot on the all-tournament team as well.
"Peyton hails from a national powerhouse and understands what success requires," Nusseibeh stated. "She is a combo guard who can score at all three levels as well as create for her team. Her skill set, natural ability, and basketball IQ make for a lethal combination. We are so excited to welcome Peyton to the family!"
Tshibangu brings a wealth of experience at the prep and club levels to Ypsilanti. After spending her first three years at Chareles Granier, she recently transferred to play at Royal Crown School in Toronto for a program that has been one of the premier teams in Canada. She also has played for Team Ontario and recently helped her squad to the gold medal at the 2024 Canada Basketball U17 National Championships.
"Believe is an incredibly athletic forward who strives to outwork everyone," Nusseibeh said. "Her strengths of playing up tempo, along with her ability to rebound and defend, will add so much value to our team. Believe is fully committed to the success of her team and we are so grateful she is with us!"
Zajac, like her mother and current head coach, is no stranger to scoring the basketball. In just three years with Tecumseh, the top five finisher in the voting for Ms. Michigan stands as her school's all-time leading scorer and holds program records for made field goals, made two-point field goals, made three-point field goals, made free throws, points scored in a single season, and points per game average. A three-time all-state, all-county, and all-conference performer, she has twice been named the county's top player.
"Alli will step on the court next season and instantly highlight her ability to thrive in our system," Nusseibeh stated. "She is all in when it comes to being an EMU Eagle and we cannot wait to witness and be a part of the legacy she creates here. As a Michigan native, she will no doubt be a fan favorite!"
While the fan base will have to wait until next season to see the newest Eagles, the current team has already begun its season and returns to action Nov. 21 when the Mastodons of Purdue University Fort Wayne come to town. The game is slated for a 6:30 p.m. tip inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center and will stream live on ESPN+.
2025-26 Eastern Michigan Women's Basketball Signing Class
Name • Height • Position • Hometown (High School)
Adrena Gordon • 5-11 • G • Akron, Ohio (Example Academy)
Peyton Hill • 5-10 • G • St. Louis, Mo. (Incarnate Word Academy)
Believe Tshibangu • 6-0 • F • Courtice, Ontario, Canada (ESC St. Charles Garnier)
Alli Zajac • 6-2 • F • Tecumseh, Mich. (Tecumseh HS)
2025-26 Signee Biographies
Adrena Gordon
5-11 • Freshman • Guard
Akron, Ohio (Example Academy)
EMU: 2025-26: Has signed an Athletic Financial Aid Agreement to join the Eagles for the 2025-26 season… HIGH SCHOOL: Currently attends Example Academy and plays for the Eagles under head coach Barry Bradford… Has lettered twice in basketball at EA… PERSONAL: Full Name: Adrena Charniece Gordon… Daughter of Charles Gordon and Adrena Marshall… Has five siblings, including brothers Charlesten, Sir Charles, and Charles Jr., and sisters Imani and Dianca… Her sister, Imani, played collegiately at Cleveland State and is currently an assistant coach at MAC foe Northern Illinois… Nursing major.
Peyton Hill
5-10 • Freshman • Guard
St. Louis, Mo. (Incarnate Word Academy)
EMU: 2025-26: Has signed an Athletic Financial Aid Agreement to join the Eagles for the 2025-26 season... HIGH SCHOOL: Currently attends Incarnate Word Academy and plays for the Red Knights under head coach Dan Rolfes… The program has won 14 state titles, including four consecutive and Hill has been a member of the past three Missouri Class 6 state titles (2022, 2023, and 2024)… Twice named first-team all-tournament at the state competitions and twice at the district level… Also plays for Napheesa Collier Elite under head coach Jordan Olufson… She has helped NCE to the Run 4 Roses Gold Championship title three times and was named to the all-tournament team… PERSONAL: Full Name: Peyton Olivia Hill… Daughter of Keilon and Erica Hill… Has three siblings, including brothers Christian and Keilon Jr., and sister Meadow… Business Marketing major.
Believe Tshibangu
6-0 • Freshman • Forward
Courtice, Ontario, Canada (Royal Crown School)
EMU: 2025-26: Has signed an Athletic Financial Aid Agreement to join the Eagles for the 2025-26 season… HIGH SCHOOL: Currently attends Royal Crown School after previously playing at ESC St. Charles Garnier the previous three years under head coach Lee Anna Osei… Was a member of Team Ontario and helped her team to the 2024 Canada Baksetball U17 National Championship gold medal... Played for the club team, Sisterskeeper, for three years under head coach Patrick Falduti… Also has competed in athletics (track & field) in the 100m and 200m sprint events… PERSONAL: Full Name: Believe Murielle Nseya Tshibangu… Daughter of Willy Tshinbangu and Emilia Moudiongui… Has three siblings, including brothers Jeremiah and Benjahmin, and sister Joyce… Nursing major.
Alli Zajac
6-2 • Freshman • Forward
Tecumseh, Mich. (Tecumseh HS)
EMU: 2025-26: Has signed an Athletic Financial Aid Agreement to join the Eagles for the 2025-26 season… HIGH SCHOOL: Currently attends Tecumseh High School and plays under head coach Kristy Zajac, her mother… Heading into her senior season, she is the school's all-time leading scorer while also holding records for made field goals, made three-point field goals, made free throws, points in a single season, and points per game average… A top five finisher in the Ms. Michigan voting, she has earned first-team honors at the state, county, and league level in all three years she has played and twice has been named the county's player of the year… Zajac also has helped the team to one regional title, three district championships, and one league crown on the hardwood… At the club level, she competed for Michigan Premier… Away from basketball, Zajac was a four-year member of the volleyball team where she earned all-league and all-county honors… She also competed in the short sprints on the track team, running the 100m, 4x100m, and 4x200m events… PERSONAL: Full Name: Alli Lynn Zajac… Daughter of Jon and Kristy Zajac… Has three siblings, including brother Ryder and sisters Avery and Addi… Both of her parents played basketball at Eastern Michigan with mom, the former Kristy Maska, ranking No. 18 all-time in EMU scoring (1,228 points) and No. 2 in made three-pointers (215) and earning All-MAC Second Team honors in 1998-99… Architecture major.
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