This month, we introduce Loretta Mabinton, a vibrant member of our community, and her talented son, Ebiye Udo-Udoma (31). Loretta lives in Starwood, and Ebiye resides in southern California. At almost 64, Loretta has built a fulfilling life alongside her son, the “Handball Ninja.” Together, they embody a dynamic family spirit, showcasing remarkable achievements and a passion for connection.

 

Loretta spent over three decades as a lawyer in the energy industry, helping build power plants in Oregon, California, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Known as “the closer” for her knack for closing complex deals, Loretta received the Athena Award in 2016 for her wisdom, courage, and dedication to the community. In her sixties, she has taken up learning piano, Spanish, and golf—keeping herself engaged and active. Her love for travel has led her to celebrate her 60th birthday with 58 friends and family in the Maldives, and now she looks forward to visiting Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. This passion has only deepened by following her son’s handball career, taking her to Hungary and Russia—countries not initially on her bucket list but now cherished experiences.

 

Loretta is just beginning to get to know the area but looks forward to continuing her volunteer work, especially with nonprofits that support children. Her heart is set on becoming more involved in community projects and fostering the strong sense of togetherness she already feels in Frisco.

 

Ebiye has been a member of Team USA Handball since 2014, playing a key role in their four International Handball Federation continental championships (2016, 2019, 2022, 2024). He has represented the USA in handball in 18 countries and in the touch rugby World Cup in Malaysia! He was also the June 2020 World Games Athlete of the Month and was named USA Team Handball Athlete of the Year in 2022. In 2024, Ebiye was one of 32 male athletes invited to showcase Beach Handball at the Paris Olympics—a dream come true for him! Ebiye has traveled far and wide, competing in Brazil, Australia, France, China, and more; he has represented the USA in 23 nations since 2014.

 

Ebiye has made his mark as the 2012 Harlem Globetrotters talent search winner and leading try-scorer in the 2019 International Touch Rugby World Cup. He’s even saved a penalty shot from Kevin Hart and assisted Snoop Dogg on NBC’s Olympic Highlights! This year, Ebiye’s initiative led to the formation of the first USA Wheelchair Handball National Team, which won silver at the World Championships in Cairo, Egypt.

 

After searching in Frisco, Loretta fell in love with Starwood for its peaceful atmosphere, mature trees, and quiet streets. She and her dogs, Magic and Sissy, love taking daily walks around the community, sometimes covering four miles without ever leaving the neighborhood.

 

Magic and Sissy are Loretta’s loyal Australian shepherds, full of energy and always ready for an adventure. Since joining the family at 12 weeks old, these four-year-old siblings have lived up to their reputation as herding dogs—herding everyone and everything! While Magic is always eager to make new friends, Sissy is more reserved and stays close to Loretta’s side.

 

To Loretta and Ebiye, Thanksgiving is always a big family event, bringing relatives from the UK, Nigeria, and the US together. In 2015, the gathering in Atlanta brought over 100 family members. Birthdays are equally unique, and Loretta’s most memorable surprise was Ebiye's surprise in November, featuring video messages from friends and family, culminating with a visit from Ebiye himself—a heartwarming moment she’ll never forget.

 

Ebiye’s friends unexpectedly whisked her away for breakfast, revealing that they had recorded a special birthday video message from family and friends around the globe. The heartfelt messages played, and the surprise didn’t stop there. When the video ended, she turned around to discover a beautiful painting of herself and Ebiye, only to be greeted by Ebiye, who had flown in from California just for the occasion. The emotional reunion left Loretta overjoyed, and the surprise was a testament to their strong bond and the lengths Ebiye would go to make her feel cherished on her special day.

 

When spending time in Frisco, Loretta enjoys taking guests to The Star—a fantastic community spot for gathering, enjoying the football field, and exploring the various eateries and ice cream spots. Loretta appreciates walking the Hall of Fame and learning about Cowboys legends. Even if you don’t watch football, seeing all of the Cowboys’ memorabilia is still an absolute marvel! She also feels fortunate to have wonderful neighbors who include her in events and gatherings, and she’s met some fantastic women through ladies’ lunches and backyard wine evenings.

 

Loretta Mabinton and her son, Ebiye, are a wonderful example of how hard work, dedication, and an adventurous spirit create a fulfilling and inspiring family dynamic. We are proud to have them as part of our community and look forward to seeing them continue to thrive and contribute to making Frisco an even better place.