Neighbors Gets First Signee

April 28, 2017

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Arkansas women’s basketball head coach Mike Neighbors announced the addition of Raven Northcross-Baker to the 2017-18 roster on Friday.

“I think it is fitting that our first signee is an excellent player who comes from inside our own state,” Neighbors said. “Raven is a proven winner and will be a great addition to our program. She played for Coach Jess Martin at Malvern and helped them to two state titles.

“She has two years of collegiate experience with Coach Greg Franklin at Chipola and I know that has helped prepare her for the challenges she will face in the SEC,” Neighbors continued. “Coach Franklin has SEC experience as an assistant coach and has turned Chipola into a perennial top-5 JUCO program.

“Raven is a perfect fit for our fast style of play and gives us immediate leadership on and off the court.”

Northcross-Baker is a Malvern, Arkansas, native who has spent two seasons at Chipola Junior College in Marianna, Florida. Northcross-Baker averaged 14.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 steals while starting all 33 games in 2016-17. She helped Chipola reach the FCSAA/NJCAA quarterfinals and play to a 28-5 record while leading the team in scoring.

At Malvern High School, Northcross-Baker was a three-time member of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Arkansas Team, a three-time all-state performer and a three-time all-state all-tournament team member. She averaged 27 points, six rebounds, four steals and three assists for the Leopards as a senior.

Northcross-Baker is the daughter of Denise Northcross and plans to major in criminal justice at Arkansas.