Cavaliers announce additions of transfers Grays, Valenti-Paea

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Posted on Saturday, May. 4, 2024, 11:00 am

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Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Photos: UVA Athletics

Virginia women’s basketball head coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton has announced the signings of RyLee Grays and Casey Valenti-Paea, who will each join the Cavaliers for the upcoming 2024-25 season.

“I’m super excited to welcome RyLee to our program,” said Agugua-Hamilton. “She fits us on and off the court. RyLee was highly recruited out of high school and is a strong, athletic, and physical post player, who can also defend, run the floor, score, and rebound. She is a great student, who will enhance our culture as well. Wahoo Nation, you will love her game and dynamic personality.”

A 6-3 forward, Grays (Pearland, Texas) competed as a true freshman for North Carolina last season.

An espnW HoopGurlz four-star prospect, Grays attended Pearland High School, where she led the Oilers to a state championship appearance in 2023. As a senior, Grays was also named the Houston Chronicle Player of the Year.

On the AAU circuit, Grays competed for CyFair Elite EYBL, which won the 2022 Nike national championship.

Valenti-Paea started in 32 games at Long Beach State in 2023-24, where she averaged 9.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.1 steals per game. Valenti-Paea also shot 42.8 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from 3-point range. At the free throw line, she sunk 84.9 percent of her attempts last season. Valenti-Paea scored in double figures in 17 games in 2023-24.

Prior to competing at LBSU, Valenti-Paea spent the previous two seasons at Buffalo, where she redshirted in 2022-23.

A native of Melbourne, Australia, Valenti-Paea played for Maribrynong College and for the Craigieburn Eagles, and was a top-20 prospect in her class. She led Team Australia to a gold medal at the 3×3 Asia Cup and represented Victoria at the Australian Junior National Championships on multiple occasions. She was also tabbed MVP of the Victorian Championship Classics Tournament.

“I’m very excited about the addition of Casey to our program,” said Agugua-Hamilton. “Casey is going to enhance our culture and on-court play. She is an athletic, versatile guard who can score and defend. Casey can also shoot the 3 at a high clip and get in the paint to create for herself and others. She adds depth to our guard play. Wahoo Nation, you are going to love her.”