By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A tall, physical presence in the paint can go a long way in the women's basketball game and Tennessee Tech has certainly found someone who fits that bill.
Enter 6-1 center Dainajoy (DJ) McFarlane from Beltsville, Md. – a member of the New Hope Academy roster and formerly from the Eleanor Roosevelt team that won the 2018 Maryland Class 4A state championship.
McFarlane joins Scott County (Ky.)'s Maaliya Owens in Tech's 2019 signing class.
With ERHS last season, the team went 25-3. During the playoffs, she had a game where she pulled down 19 rebounds en route to 348 for the season. McFarlane finished the campaign with 301 points, 52 blocks and seven assists. She averaged a double-double a game with 10.8 points and 12.4 rebounds.
"DJ is a dominant paint presence," said Tech head coach Kim Rosamond. "She loves to use her body and play physical, which is hard to find today. She finishes well around the basket and pursues the basketball on the boards. DJ will bring toughness and physicality, and I expect her to be a dominant force in the OVC for years to come."
Following the season, she joined highly-successful prep coach Sam Caldwell at New Hope Academy for its second season of competition. New Hope will play a rigorous national schedule that will provide McFarlane an opportunity to play against some of the nation's top competition.
"DJ is simply one of the best young people I know," Caldwell said. "She has a very bright future, and I'm just so happy for her and her family. Tennessee Tech will be a great place for DJ to continue dominating the paint!"
McFarlane is also a member of the Team Durant 17U team in the developmental program overseen by NBA superstar Kevin Durant and coached by Michelle Watts, who is also an assistant coach at New Hope Academy.
Athletic skills run in the family as her brother, McDane McFarlane, is an offensive lineman for Bowie State in the Division II-based Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
Before moving to Maryland, McFarlane hailed from Montego Bay, Jamaica.
She is also an exemplary student and served as the vice president of the Student Government Association.
McFarlane loves the atmosphere the Tech program brings.
"It feels like family without being around my actual family," she said.
Rosamond feels that McFarlane will be a tremendous asset to the Golden Eagle program.
"I love that she doesn't mind doing the dirty work, which speaks to the fact that she is a great teammate," she said. "While she is a relentless competitor on the court, off the court she is a gentle and kind servant leader. She loves people and strives to make others around her better. DJ is a perfect fit for our culture."
