PORTLAND, Ore. — A native daughter of Portland returns home as Ajae Yoakum, after stops at FIU and Arizona, has signed with the Portland State women's basketball team, head coach Karlie Burris announced Tuesday.
 
"We're incredibly excited to add Ajae to the Viking family," Burris said of Yoakum. "Her length, athleticism and versatility immediately stand out, but it's her ability to impact the game on both ends that really sets her apart. She defends multiple positions, gets out in transition, and can score in a variety of ways.
 
"Ajae brings experience and a competitive edge that will elevate everyone around her, and we're thrilled to bring her back home to Portland for her final year."
 
Yoakum played on the same Benson Polytechnic High School team as her new Viking teammate Cici Ellington that won the OSAA 6A state title in 2019. Yoakum earned OSAA 6A second-team all-state honors in 2020, when Benson made it back to the second round of the state tournament.
 
In college, Yoakum played two seasons each at Eastern Arizona College (2020-22) and FIU (2022-24). She transferred to Arizona prior to this past season but suffered an injury that kept her from appearing in any games for the Wildcats.
 
At FIU, Yoakum earned Conference USA honorable mention following the 2023-24 season when she averaged Division I career highs for points (10.4), rebounds (5.6) and minutes (28.1) per game. She also shot a career-best 52.6 percent from the field that season.
 
Yoakum represents Burris' first signing as head coach of the Vikings. She'll provide much-needed depth in the frontcourt, as the Vikings graduated starting forwards Rhema Ogele and Lana Wenger following the 2024-25 season.
 
GRANT-IN-AID SIGNING
Ajae Yoakum, 6-0, RS-SR, F, Portland, Ore. (Arizona/FIU/Eastern Arizona/Benson Polytechnic HS)
 
PREVIOUS SIGNINGS
Sophie Buzzard, 5-10, FR, G, Camas, Wash. (Camas HS) – Signed in November
Hannah Chicken, 6-0, FR, F, Taree, NSW, Australia (Hunter Sports HS) – Signed in November
Kailee Field, 5-10, FR, G, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (Brisbane HS) – Signed in November
Ryme Jaekel, 5-9, FR, G, Gladstone, Ore. (Wilsonville HS) – Signed in November