CARBONDALE, Ill. – On Wednesday, head coach Kelly Bond-White of the Southern Illinois University women’s basketball team announced the signing of Hiba Malkawi from Plano, Texas.

Malkawi is a 5-foot-7 guard who is transferring to SIU from Northeastern Oklahoma (NEO) A&M College.

“Hiba has an electric personality both on and off the court,” Bond-White said. “She’s a dynamic player with a great work ethic, and we’re looking forward to seeing the spark she can provide for us.”

The Plano, Texas native spent two seasons at NEO and played in 40 total games. In 2024-25, Malkawi played and started all 31 games, and averaged 9.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals-per-game.

Malkawi led the Lady Norse to the NJCAA Region II Championship during the spring. In three games at the tournament, the guard averaged 13.3 points-per-game on 45% shooting from the field.

“We’re thrilled to welcome not just Hiba to the team, but her entire family,” Bond-White said. “Coming from the Dallas area in Texas, they quickly fell in love with all southern Illinois and what the community had to offer. Constantly voicing their gratitude and watching their excitement as they immersed themselves was refreshing.”

Prior to arriving at NEO, Malkawi played one season at Eastern Oklahoma State College in 2022-23. The guard was featured in 30 games, made nine starts, and averaged 6.6 points-per-game.

Malkawi can be deployed as either a point or shooting guard, and is a strong shooter off screens and is effective in transition.

“She is one of the quickest coming off a screen and getting her hips to the rim,” Bond-White said. “This quickness allows her to get into the paint to finish. A very unselfish player, she’s equally excited to share the ball, and accepting the challenge of playing the way we want to defensively.”

Once she arrives in Carbondale, Malkawi intends on studying sports administration.