NCAA Approves Waiver For Kayla Overbeck To Compete Immediately For Women of Troy

USC's 2018-19 roster will pack even more punch when the Women of Troy kick off their campaign in the coming months thanks to an NCAA-approved waiver that grants Vanderbilt transfer Kayla Overbeck immediate eligibility for competition.

"We are very excited that Kayla is eligible for competition immediately," USC head coach Mark Trakh said. "She gives us a seasoned additional low-post presence this year. Kayla works extremely hard and will be a viable offensive option for us."

Overbeck arrived at USC this summer as a transfer from Vanderbilt and has been a quick fit into the Trojan Family. A talented 6-1 forward, Overbeck is certain to make an impact as a Trojan — and now, with the waiver approval, USC fans won't have to wait to see her skill set in action. A junior, Overbeck will have two seasons of eligibility at USC, giving her hometown fans a much more convenient chance to cheer on Newbury Park High School's all-time leading scorer and rebounder.

At Vanderbilt, Overbeck was one of the SEC's most efficient scorers and rebounders in her sophomore season. She averaged 9.9 points per game and shot 60 percent from the field, ranked No. 4 in the SEC, while pulling in 5.0 rebounds per game. Overbeck dominated in the final stretch of the season, reaching double figures in 10 of the last 14 games, including six consecutive games to match the longest streak for a Commodore that season. She also grabbed a rebound in each of the last 27 games and recorded a career-high 14 rebounds against Arkansas in the SEC Tournament.

In her first season in Nashville, Overbeck earned 2017 SEC All-Freshman Team honors and an SEC Freshman of the Week selection after she posted a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds against Eastern Tennessee State. She finished the season as the conference's leading rebounder among freshmen (7.2 per game) and ranked third in scoring (9.5 points per game) among SEC freshmen. Overbeck led her team in double-doubles with seven and scored in double-figures in 15 games. After an impressive freshman debut, she was selected to USA Basketball Women's U19 Team that won a silver medal at the 2017 FIBA U19 World Cup.

A native of Newbury Park, Overbook hails from the same hometown as former Trojan Brynn Cameron, who broke the USC 3-point scoring record during her time at Troy. As a four-year varsity starter, Overbeck ended her career as the Newbury Park High's all-time leader in career points with 1,988 and rebounds with 1,355. She also set school record for most rebounds in a game, rebounds in a season, points in a season and points in a career. In her senior season, she was awarded the Marmonte League MVP, Ventura County Star Player of the Year, CIF Division 2A Player of the Year and First Team All-CIF honors. She was ranked as the No. 20 prospect by ESPN HoopGurlz and No. 19 by Prospects Nation at her position.

Overbeck is one of six Women of Troy who are slated to see their first action as Trojans this season. She joins grad transfer Cheyanne Wallace, true freshmen Desiree Caldwell and Jillian Archer and two Trojans who sat out last season — redshirt freshman Shalexxus Aaron and senior Mariya Moore — as that powerful set of new feet to hit the floor for USC in 2018-19.

Players Mentioned

Shalexxus Aaron

Jillian Archer

Desiree Caldwell

Mariya Moore

Kayla Overbeck

Cheyanne Wallace