University of Evansville Athletics

At Evansville:  Ayako Nakane returns for her fourth and final season in a Purple Aces’ uniform this winter ...One of UE’s hardest workers who provides the Purple Aces with good depth in the backcourt...A tough defender because of her hard-nosed approach and speed...Will push for playing time in the UE backcourt this season...Prefers to go by the nickname of Aya, which is pronounced “I-uh”...Last name is pronounced “nuh-KON-ay.”

2007-2008:  Nakane appeared in six games off of the UE bench as a reserve guard...Hit a free throw, grabbed two rebounds, and recorded an assist and a steal in nine minutes of action on the season...Took three shot attempts, including one three-point attempt...Had a point and a rebound in her season debut against Tennessee Tech (11/27)...Swiped her first career steal in a season-high three minutes of action against Wichita State on MVC TV (2/8)...Grabbed a rebound and dished out an assist in a minute of play at Kansas in the second round of the 2008 Postseason WNIT (3/24)...Also saw regular-season action against Indiana State (1/5) and Southern Illinois (1/26) and State Farm MVC Tournament action in UE’s 79-56 win over Northern Iowa (3/14).

2006-2007:  Played in seven games as a reserve guard ...Logged nine minutes of action, with three shot attempts, including two from long range...Made her season debut in UE’s 85-67 victory over Morehead State (11/11)...Also played a season-high three minutes against both Lipscomb (11/19) and Austin Peay (12/21)...Saw MVC action against Illinois State (1/6), Northern Iowa (2/8), Creighton (2/15), and Wichita State (2/28).

2005-2006:  Saw action in seven games off of the UE bench as a reserve guard...Totaled five points in 10 minutes of action on 2-of-5 shooting from the field... Made her UE debut with three minutes of action against Illinois-Chicago (12/11)...Scored her first career points at UE with a lay-up against Postseason WNIT member Northern Iowa (1/7)...Hit her first career three-point attempt in UE’s 84-55 victory over Wichita State (2/10)...Also saw action at Illinois State (1/1) and Indiana State (3/4) and against Southern Illinois (1/28) and Missouri State (2/12)...Won UE’s “Whatever It Takes” award for her hard work in practice and games.

At Uminohoshi: Starting guard for one of the top high school teams in the country of Japan...Named team “Most Valuable Player” on a Uminohoshi squad which made a pair of Final Four appearances in the Japan high school tournament...Led Uminohoshi to Final Four appearances in both 2002 and 2004...Also helped Uminohoshi to a top 16 finish in 2003...Averaged over 16 points per game.

Major:  Exercise Science

Why UE?:  Great environment for academics and playing sports.

Career Highs:

Points:  3 vs. Wichita State (2/10/06)
FGs:  1, twice-last vs. Wichita State (2/10/06)
3-FGs:  1 vs. Wichita State (2/10/06)
FTs:  1 vs. Tennessee Tech (11/27/07)
Rebounds:  1, twice-last at Kansas (3/24/08)
Assists:  1 at Kansas (3/24/08)
Steals:  1 vs. Wichita State (2/8/08)
Blocks:  0-last at Kansas (3/24/08)

Career Double-Figure Games:  0
Career Double-Doubles:  0
Last Double-Double:  N/A