Rebekah Van Dijk, a beloved former basketball player and coach for the University of Texas Arlington (UTA), passed away on March 12, 2024, after a courageous battle with a rare form of cancer.
Van Dijk was diagnosed in February 2024. She sought treatment in Houston but sadly succumbed to the illness.
Her death has left an everlasting loss in the hearts of her family, friends, teammates, and the UTA community.
Rebekah was born and raised in Nazareth, Texas, in 1996, to parents Joe and Appie VanDijk.
She grew up alongside her brother, Nathaneal, and two sisters, Esther and Deborah.
A standout athlete at Nazareth Varsity Basketball, she excelled in basketball and tennis, earning four-year letters in both sports. She graduated from Nazareth in 2014.
Her talent on the court earned her two MVP honors and All-State team recognition during the 2012-13 season.
Beyond athletics, she was also recognized for her academic achievements as a three-time Academic All-District honoree.
Rebekah’s journey at UTA began as a student-athlete majoring in pre-law.
Standing at an impressive 6 feet 5 inches tall, she quickly made her mark on the basketball court.
LADY MAVS WIN! UTA tops ULM 80-53 behind its second 50 percent + shooting effort of the season! Rebekah VanDijk breaks the all-time rebound record as she has 1,080 in her career! pic.twitter.com/i6pm9lF1m2
— UTA Athletics (@UTAMAVS) February 16, 2018
Over her four-year career with the Lady Mavericks, Rebekah became one of the most decorated players in UTA history.
She remains the program’s all-time leader in rebounds (1,117) and blocked shots (203) while ranking second in field goals made (661) and third in scoring (1,676 points).
She was a four-time Sun Belt All-Conference selection, twice earning First-Team honors.
Her dominance on the court extended to leadership roles.
Rebekah served on the Sun Belt Conference Leadership Team and represented UTA at the Athletes in Action Leadership Academy in 2017.
Rebekah Van Dijk’s father, Joe VanDijk, Passed Away In 2016, Approximately Nine Years Before Her Death
Rebekah’s contributions to the program were immortalized when her jersey (#44) was retired during a special ceremony in January 2022, making her the only Lady Maverick to receive such an honor.
After graduating with her bachelor’s degree in just three years, Rebekah continued her education by pursuing a master’s degree at UTA while joining the coaching staff as a student coach.
Her dedication to mentoring young athletes showcased her passion for basketball and her commitment to fostering growth on and off the court.
In February 2024, Nazareth High School honored her legacy by having its girls’ basketball team write “#44” on their wrists during a game against Saltillo.
The UTA Lady Mavericks expressed their grief with a heartfelt tribute,
We are deeply saddened to hear that we lost the only Lady Mav to have her jersey hanging in the rafters, Rebekah VanDijk. We send our love and deepest condolences to her family, friends and fans everywhere as we honor her memory and contributions to not only Lady Mavs basketball… pic.twitter.com/kxepfvY4uo
— UTA Lady Mavs (@UTAMavsWBB) March 13, 2025
Rebekah’s former coach, Krista Gerlich, also shared an emotional message,
“Please continue to lift up Rebekah VanDijk and her family in prayer.🙏
Via Facebook
“I’m going to fight until I cant fight any more, coach” ~Bek
“In Jesus Name… God of Possible”
Tragically, Rebekah’s father, Joe VanDijk, passed away in March 2016 from unknown causes.
She is survived by her mother, Appie, brother, Nathaneal, sisters, Esther and Deborah, and many other cherished family members and friends.
Known as a loving daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, Rebekah’s legacy of kindness, determination, and excellence will forever inspire those who knew her.
Rebekah Van Dijk will always be remembered as a trailblazer for UTA basketball and a cherished member of her community.
Once a Lady Maverick, always a Lady Maverick. 🐎
