The University of Pennsylvania women’s basketball team has announced the addition of four new student-athletes for the upcoming season. Head coach Mike McLaughlin revealed that Ruke Ogbevire, Ari Paraskevopoulou, Kate Lipatova, and Sarah Gordon will join the program this winter. The group includes players from Texas, Alabama, Greece, and Russia.
“We’re thrilled to welcome this talented group to Penn Women’s Basketball,” said McLaughlin. “Each of them brings a unique skill set that will make our program stronger—Ruke’s creativity and pace, Sarah’s elite shooting, Kate’s versatility inside and out, and Ari’s grit and toughness. As a group, they bring maturity, energy, and a competitive edge that will make an immediate impact. We’re excited about the future of Penn Basketball with this class.”
Ogbevire comes from Fulshear High School in Houston where she became the all-time leading scorer with 1,895 points and recorded 471 assists. She also holds her school’s record for most triple doubles. Ogbevire’s older sister currently plays at Penn. On her decision to attend Penn, Ogbevire said: “I chose Penn because of the combination of strong academics and a team culture that feels like family. Having my sister here makes the experience even more meaningful, and I can’t wait to continue building memories together at Penn.” Coach McLaughlin added: “We’re excited to welcome Ruke to Penn Women’s Basketball. She’s a dynamic guard with tremendous ball skills and a natural creativity to her game. Ruke plays fast, makes her teammates better, and has the ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. With her skill set and energy, she’s going to be a great addition to our program!”
Paraskevopoulou is joining from Athens where she played for both her high school team and Athinaikos club in Greece’s A1 Division after helping win promotion from A2 in 2022-23. She has represented Greece on its U18 and U20 national teams as leading scorer or rebounder at international tournaments. Paraskevopoulou said: “I chose Penn because it offers the perfect balance of social life, academics, and sports. I’m very honored to be able to attend such a historic institution.” McLaughlin described her as: “a tough, physical forward who brings grit and competitiveness to the post position… Her toughness and work ethic will make her a great fit for our program!”
Lipatova is originally from Moscow but played high school basketball at Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut after moving to the United States at age 17. She was twice part of Russian national championship teams as well as winning three club titles in Moscow before coming stateside. Lipatova explained: “I chose Penn for the strong athletic and academic programs, as well as the amazing coaching staff.” According to McLaughlin: “She’s a versatile forward with the ability to play both inside and outside… Her skill set and experience will give us great flexibility on both ends of the floor.”
Gordon arrives from Vestavia Hills High School in Alabama where she finished as all-time leading scorer with 2,168 points while shooting 43 percent from three-point range during her senior year. Gordon stated: “I chose Penn for many reasons. The culture of the coaching staff and team was very welcoming… I am blessed with the opportunity to come to Penn and I’m looking forward to my next four years in Philadelphia.” McLaughlin commented: “She’s an elite shooter with great range… Her work ethic and poise will allow her to grow quickly at this level.”
The incoming class follows recent recognition for first-year talent at Penn; Mataya Gayle earned Ivy League Rookie of the Year honors in 2023-24 while Katie Collins received it in 2024-25.
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