Alumni Spotlight: Eboni Gilliam

Name: Eboni Gilliam

Job Title: Assistant Women's Basketball Coach

Organization: Union College (KY)

Eboni Gilliam played women's basketball for two seasons with the Sea Devils from 2013-2015. During her two seasons she served as a team captain and averaged 13.6 points per game. As a freshman, Gilliam saw playing time in every game, starting most of them. In her sophomore season she started in every game and helped lead the Sea Devils to a 26-6 overall record and a 16-3 conference record. The team made it to the championship game in the 2014-15 season, but fell just short of the title. She was selected first team all-region during both of her seasons with the Sea Devils.

After graduating from CFCC in 2015, Gilliam transferred to Division I Longwood University where she pursued a bachelor's degree in business administration with a minor in marketing. In her junior season, Gilliam started 22 games and saw while averaging 7.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per contest. Gilliam led the team with a 41% field-goal percentage. All of this helped her earn Big South Player of the week honors and awards of leading rebounder and leading scorer. After graduating from Longwood University in 2017, she pursued a professional basketball career with Club Natacio Terressa in Barcelona, Spain.

She now resides in Kentucky, where she is an assistant women's basketball coach for the Union College Bulldogs. She still stays in contact with former teammates and coaches at CFCC. When asked how her time at CFCC prepared her for her career and life choices, Gilliam said "CFCC prepared me in a special way by learning how to live as an adult on my own and time management as a student athlete. I created lifelong friendships and developed leadership skills by being a captain during my playing career at CFCC. I'm so thankful to Coach Drake for giving me the opportunity as it was one of the best times of my life!"

What was your most memorable moments looking back at your time at Cape Fear?
"My most memorable moment at Cape Fear was during post season play. We were able to advance to the championship game. It was such an amazing moment with my teammates. We fought together and we leaned on one another for support every step of the way."

If you could tell an incoming freshman one thing what would it be?
"BE A GREAT PLAYER AND A GREAT TEAMMATE! The difference between being a GREAT player vs a good player is knowing what you are willing to give up for the grind. Great players elevate their teammates and put them in a situation to succeed. Great players don't allow fear to get in the way of their goal. Great players always find a way to work harder than the next person! Good players do it sometimes, while GREAT players make no excuse to get it done every time!

Be confident in yourself! Strive to be GREAT in everything you do, and you will succeed!"

What is your biggest accomplishment after leaving Cape Fear? (personal or professional)
"I was able to achieve my dream of playing Division 1 basketball at Longwood University and to play professionally overseas. This all propelled me to where I am now, coaching collegiate women's basketball."

Courtesy of Breanna Sudano