Maria Gakdeng put together a very strong collegiate career over the past four seasons, as the graduating senior put together a heartfelt social media post to express her gratitude to both Boston College and North Carolina.
Tar Heel for life! 🩵 pic.twitter.com/YPHxdPFYOJ
— maria gakdeng (@MariaGakdeng21) April 9, 2025
Gakdeng started her career at Boston College, playing her first two college seasons for the Eagles. She then decided to enter the transfer portal, ultimately joining forces with Courtney Banghart with the UNC women's basketball program.
While transfer portal additions aren't always a guarantee to be a perfect fit, Gakdeng was everything the Tar Heels could have asked for and more.
When the Lanham, Maryland native arrived in Chapel Hill, she brought a reputation as a fierce post player with elite shot blocking ability. She blossomed into one of the best forwards in the entire country, becoming a focal point for North Carolina's offensive attack.
North Carolina was a much better team when No. 5 was on the floor. She saved her best college season for her last, finishing the season averaging a career-high in rebounds (7.6). The Tar Heels had a very balanced scoring load, one that Gakdeng was very much a integral part of, finishing the season as the UNC women's basketball program's second leading scorer (only .1 behind fellow frontcourt mate Alyssa Ustby).
Although her college career has ended, Gakdeng isn't done chasing her dreams on the basketball court. She announced that she has entered her name in the upcoming WNBA Draft, hoping to find a landing spot to begin her professional career.
A fierce competitor who impacts the game on both sides of the basketball, a WNBA team would be wise to take a chance on Maria Gakdeng.
Boston College and North Carolina were smart enough to take that chance, a decision that both programs certainly didn't regret.