Former Texas forward DeYona Gaston reunites with Auburn Head Coach Johnnie Harris, transferring to the Tigers' squad for her final year of eligibility.
After spending four years with the Longhorns, Gaston, like Texas, moves to the SEC to finish her collegiate basketball career.
What many might not know is that the Tigers’ Coach Harris and Gaston have history.
Before Auburn, Coach Harris was the associate head coach at Mississippi State for eight years before moving to Texas, where she served one year. At Mississippi State, Harris tried recruiting Gaston to the Bulldogs squad.
“DeYona has been a pleasant surprise. I actually recruited her out of high school," Harris said at SEC Media Days. "She signed with Mississippi State. When we [head coach Shaefer] went to Texas, she ended up coming to Texas. I was able to coach her her first year.”
At Texas, Gaston was a standout player.
In her career as a Longhorn, Gaston averaged 9.0 points per game, a shooting percentage of 51.5%, 489 rebounds with 4.6 per game and 61 assists.
Specifically in her junior year, Gaston blocked 40 shots on the season, leading the Longhorns to set a single-season team blocks record.
Her senior season, Gaston earned the 2024 Big 12 Sixth Player of the Year, helping the Longhorns’ to a 33-5 record, which elevated them to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.
Gaston is looking forward to joining the Auburn Tigers for her final season.
“I picked Auburn because of the family atmosphere that permeates the team and the city as a whole, in addition to the coaching staff's ability to help me grow and reach my goals," Gaston told Auburn. "I wanted to be surrounded by winners, and Auburn has all of that—players, coaches, and staff. Auburn provides me with all I require to flourish and reach my full potential."
In the preseason, Gaston has already adjusted with the team.
“She [Gaston] has a voice with our players. She's a competitor. She competes every day," Harris said. "Sometimes I have to pull her off the court because she'll stay on the court the whole time. She's running with the guards. She's a post player that can shoot the three, she can shoot the pull up jumper, she can get to the rim. She has back-to-the-basket moves, she can face the post.”
“I think she's going to explode and really help us a lot in areas that we have not had as far as the inside presence.”
As the season approaches, the Tigers will play an exhibition match on Oct. 31 before opening the season up against the Southern Illinois Salukis on Monday, Nov. 4 at Neville Arena at 6:00p.m CST, on SEC Network+.
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Ginny is a junior majoring in sports production. She joined the Plainsman in the fall of 2024.
