MONMOUTH, Ore. – Playing for one of the top Division II women's basketball programs, Makenna Gambee will transfer back to her home state of Oregon this fall to join the Western Oregon University women's basketball program as announced by head coach Holli Howard-Carpenter. Gambee was a two-sport athlete at Hawaii Pacific, also playing volleyball throughout her career.

Gambee, a 6-foot forward, is originally from Hillsboro, Ore., and spent her four-year undergrad career playing at Hawaii Pacific. She started right away as a true freshman in 2017-18 in helping the Sharks to a 26-4 season reaching the NCAA Division II West Regional. That year she played in 27 games, tallying 72 points, 72 rebounds, 16 assists, 12 steals and seven blocks.

During her sophomore season, Gambee played in 32 games that included three starts. Hawaii Pacific went 23-9 that season and again reached the NCAA Division II West Regional. Gambee tallied 66 points, 76 rebounds, 22 assists, 11 blocks and seven steals.

It was setting up to be a big 2019-20 junior season for Gambee and the Sharks before the season was halted due to Covid-19. The team was 29-1 on the season, as Gambee played in 29 games that were all starts. She tallied 126 points, 90 rebounds, 40 assists, 15 steals and 11 blocks.

This past season, Hawaii Pacific went 13-1 and reached the NCAA Division II West Regional. Gambee, a senior, played in 14 games that were all starts, collecting 99 points, 65 rebounds, 23 assists, 11 blocks and three steals.

Gambee also played volleyball for the Sharks and over the course of her three seasons she played in 48 matches, 92 sets and came away with 86 kills and 55 blocks playing primarily as a middle blocker.

Gambee earned her bachelor's degree from Hawaii Pacific in business administration and graduated Cum Laude. She was the only dual-sport athlete at HPU.

During her time at Hillsboro, Gambee was named to the Second Team All-League, First Team All-League and Honorable Mention All-State. She was a team captain over her final three seasons and took home the U.S. Army National Scholar-Athlete Award.

What coaches are saying about Gambee:

"We are so happy Makenna chose WOU to pursue her graduate degree and finish her basketball career. She comes from a highly successful Hawaii Pacific program and will bring great energy and experience to our young team," Howard-Carpenter said. "Makenna is a versatile forward that runs the floor well and can score inside or out. She's also a solid rebounder, an area where she can really help us."

"Makenna's sparkplug energy and dedication to 'team first' has made her a valuable asset on and off the court," Hawaii Pacific head coach Reid Takatsuka said. "She will be missed, yet we are excited for her and for what's to come as she moves on to WOU."