Oregon Women's Basketball Bolsters Backcourt with BYU Transfer Nani Falatea

Nani Falatea, former BYU standout, transfers to Oregon Ducks, promising to boost their three-point shooting and leadership in 2024-25.

March 6, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; BYU Cougars guard Nani Falatea (3) shoots the basketball against / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Oregon Ducks have enhanced their lineup for the 2024-25 women's basketball season with the addition of Nani Falatea, a transfer from Brigham Young University, as announced on Monday.

Falatea, a 5-foot-9 guard from Salt Lake City, was a first-team all-West Coast Conference selection after averaging 15.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists during her sophomore year at BYU.

March 6, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; BYU Cougars guard Nani Falatea (3) shoots the basketball against / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

When highlighting the expected impact of adding Falatea into the program, Oregon coach Kelly Graves emphasized the importance of her off-the-dribble skill to score and be a playmaker while being a proficient outside shooter. Above all else, the leadership intangibles are strongly valued.

"Nani is a knock-down shooter and extremely skilled passer. She has the ability to take defenders off the dribble and create for teammates," Graves said. "Three-point shooting is something we struggled with last season and that’s where Nani can help us improve. Her maturity and leadership abilities will be a welcome addition to the locker room and our staff is so excited to get her here and on the court."

Falatea, a 5-foot-9 guard from Salt Lake City, Utah, distinguished herself as a first-team all-West Coast Conference player after her impressive sophomore season at BYU. During that season, she averaged 15.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists over 35 minutes per game while shooting 39.2 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from beyond the three-point line.

Her high school career at East High and Herriman High in Salt Lake City was marked by numerous accolades, including state 6A MVP and multiple first-team all-state selections.

Falatea, who will join Oregon as a redshirt junior, has two years of eligibility remaining. The Ducks expect her to make an immediate impact, enhancing their perimeter shooting and adding depth to their backcourt.

In addition to her athletic prowess, Falatea's personal life is also noteworthy as she is engaged to marry former Oregon offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia, who was drafted this weekend.