HOUSTON – A Houston native and her teammate are making national headlines at Gallaudet University, a Washington, D.C.-based university for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
The freshman duo known as the team’s “Twin Towers” are redefining what the playing field looks like while bringing greater visibility to Deaf athletes in collegiate basketball.
Freshman Natalie Greene a graduate of Fort Bend ISD’s Willowridge High School was named United East Rookie of the Year and Second Team All-Conference, averaging 17 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.
The scholar-athlete, who holds a 4.0 GPA, was also named Offensive Player of the Week earlier in the season. Early Thursday morning, Greene learned she had also been named Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Rookie of the Year, doubling her honors in a standout first season.
As proud as she is of her accomplishments, Greene says she’s equally excited about the growing spotlight on women’s basketball and the opportunity to represent her hometown on a national stage.
“Women’s basketball is starting to get the recognition it deserves. As a Houston native, I love my Southern roots, and going to D.C. to play at Gallaudet it’s just a great experience and culture. I love being in the Deaf community,” Greene said.
Greene, who has single-sided deafness (deaf in one ear), is continuing to learn American Sign Language (ASL), embracing a new way of communication and connection with her teammates.
“I really appreciate teammates like Kayla and others, who really took the time to help me grow,” she said.
Her teammate, Kayla Debrow, is fully immersed in the Deaf community and communicates through ASL.
Debrow a 6-foot-3 forward/center anchors the defense and has emerged as one of the conference’s most dominant interior players, averaging 9.6 rebounds per game and recording 48 blocks this season. She ranks among the conference leaders in both categories, earning Third Team All-Conference honors and recognition as a United East Defensive Player of the Week earlier in the season.
She hopes her journey sends a clear message to others.
“I want people to understand that Deaf athletes can compete with anybody,” Debrow said. “We are the same as hearing athletes and we play on the same level. We play the same game to win.”
With a young roster following last season’s conference championship run, and under the leadership of head coach Stephanie Stevens, the program is entering a new phase of transition one fueled by emerging talent.
Greene and Debrow are not only making their presence felt in the paint, but also helping shine a broader light on Gallaudet University’s athletics program, which continues to compete and win against mainstream NCAA programs.