CFCC Alumni Eboni Gilliam

Eboni Gilliam is a former CFCC women's basketball player who played two seasons for the Sea Devils between 2013 and 2015. After graduating from Cape Fear, Gilliam transferred to Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia, located 65 miles west of her hometown of Richmond.

Her two seasons at Cape Fear were highly successful. A two year captain, she averaged 13.6 points per game in two seasons, starting the majority of games her freshman year, and starting in all 32 her sophomore season. During her sophomore year, her team went 26-6, and 16-3 in conference, going all the way to the championship game before falling to Guilford Tech.

After two successful seasons, Gilliam made the switch to Division 1. Among other things, she believes her work ethic helped her make the transition.

"My work ethic definitely helped prepare me for the switch. I consistently stayed in the gym with my teammates after games or after practices."

Beyond her work ethic, Gilliam believes her coaches at Cape Fear helped her develop the right kind of mindset.

"I developed a stronger mentality during [the] tougher times while in season, and I give thanks to Coach Lori Drake, Coach Danielle Bongiorno and Coach G. They all have poured so much wisdom and truth into me -- they definitely molded me into the player I am today and helped prepare me for the next level."

Listed at 6-0, the senior forward has started in 18 of 20 games this season for the Lancers, and leads the team in scoring and rebounding at 9.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Recently, she finished with 27 points and 11 rebounds in a 78-72 loss to Winthrop on the road.

While Gilliam has been productive, her team has struggled this season. The Lancers are currently 3-17, and although the season hasn't gone as she would have liked, Gilliam believes a strong finish can give them momentum heading into the conference tournament.

"I hope we can finish the remainder of the season strong so we can go into the Big South tournament with a positive mindset. The season is what prepares us for that moment, and in order to get there we really need to be disciplined on defense and be able to close games!"

Before the season, Gilliam focused on becoming a better leader and teammate.

"I had faith that if I could work on myself as a better person and player, everything else [would] fall into place. I wanted to become an all around great teammate, and better my game so that I [would be] able to play to my full potential consistently."

With 9 games remaining in the season, there remains time for the Lancers to pick up a few wins and momentum heading into tournament play.

While her focus remains on finishing the season strong, opportunity awaits her after. Gilliam has been selected to participate in the Insider Express Pro Combine, an annual event that gives prospective pro athletics a chance to showcase their talents in hopes of securing a professional contract with teams around the world. Playing professionally has been a goal of Eboni's since she was young.

"I've thought about this very moment since I was in middle school and the fact that I have the opportunity to do what I've always wanted to do is amazing."

She lists Switzerland, Spain, Germany, and London specifically as places she'd love to visit and play in, and wants to use the combine as her chance to show she is worth investing in.

"I want agents to look at me and feel confident and comfortable that they want to make a great investment in me. I'm humbled about this opportunity and I look forward to playing with such a caliber of great talent. I'm expecting great things from this and I know it's only because of my faith in God that allowed this endeavor, and my future endeavors."

Looking back on her career at Cape Fear, her sophomore season stands out most. Along with the accomplishments of her team, she credits the coaches for all they did and taught her. Specifically, she acknowledges volunteer assistant Danielle Bongiorno for playing an important role.

"We were very blessed to have Coach Bongiorno around to help us out. She has played an amazing role in my life on and off the court and I am very grateful for her."

She also credits head coach Lori Drake for instilling a sense of unity within the team, and believes the bonds she formed with her teammates and coaches are invaluable.

"We were able to make history at Cape Fear and I was able to finish my season strong with a wonderful group of girls whom I am still very close with today! Coach Drake always referred to us as '#9strong', and from then on we played every game together with our all and for Coach Drake. I'm humbled and thankful for the opportunity to play at Cape Fear both years and I truly believe that this was the best decision for me!"

Courtesy of Nick Denning