Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska-Kearney head women's basketball coach Carrie Hofstetter announced today that former Centura star Courtney Aitken will play for the Lopers this season.

The 5-9 guard has three years of eligibility remaining after spending time at Nebraska-Lincoln. She will be the 18th member of the 2015-16 Loper squad, which features 12 newcomers.

"We are pleased to welcome Courtney Aitken to the Loper women's basketball team. Courtney is a player I watched and followed for quite some time, all the way back to when she was playing high school basketball at Centura High School. She is a versatile guard who brings additional size to our roster at the guard spot," said Hofstetter. 

A three-time all-state selection, the Dannebrog native earned first-team Class C-2 honors in 2012 after averaging 17.9 points, 10.2 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game. She left as Centura's all-time leading rebounder (918) while ranking in the top three in both scoring (1,432) and assists (518).

As a senior, she also was named the honorary captain of the Grand Island Independent's All-Heartland Squad and finished her prep career as 12-time academic All-State honoree (basketball, volleyball and track) and as Co-Valedictorian of her class.

As a freshman at UNL in 2012-13, she played in six regular season games, grabbing seven boards and handing out four assists, before an injury sidelined her. Prior to the setback, Aiken started and played all 40 minutes in an exhibition win over UNK.

"Courtney plays well in transition, is a good passer, and has a very good basketball IQ. We are thrilled to have her join us," said Hofstetter.

UNK returns four starters off last year's 12-win team that reached the MIAA Tournament for a second straight season. The Lopers begin 2015-16 with an exhibition game at UNL (Nov. 1st) before facing Sioux Falls in South Dakota (Nov. 13th) to start the regular season.