Mannetti Debuts 2024 Signing Class
7/3/2024 10:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Pioneers add two transfers and a pair of first years
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Heading into its first season in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), Sacred Heart University women's basketball head coach Jessica Mannetti announced four signings to the class of 2024.
SHU is adding Dianne Crespo López, Grace John, Esther-Naomi Kursite-Kobri and Carmen Williams to an already impressive 2024-25 roster.
"I am thrilled to welcome four dynamic players to our program this season," said Mannetti. "Each brings a unique and talented skill set that will compliment our style of play immediately. They will add depth to an already talented roster and help to continue to elevate our level during our exciting transition to the MAAC."
Crespo López, a 5'10 guard from Río Grande, Puerto Rico, joins the Pioneers after a noteworthy secondary school career. In addition to playing at her high school, Colegio Adianez, Crespo López helped Puerto Rico win the 2023 Centrobasket U17 Women's Championship, leading the team with 10.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. She ranked third in the tournament in rebounds per game, added 9.8 points per game as Puerto Rico's most efficient player.
John began her collegiate career at Barton Community College in Great Bend, Kansas. She appeared in 61 games with the Cougars, starting all 31 games during her sophomore season. In her second collegiate campaign, she finished second on the team with 4.5 assists and third with 5.1 rebounds per game. The 5'4 guard from Bayelsa, Nigeria, also averaged 8.8 points per game as an all-around asset for the Cougars.
Kursite-Kobri comes to Fairfield from London, England, where she wrapped up a successful high school career at the City of London Academy. Her secondary school highlights include being a two-time High School National Champion and playing in the Hoopsfix, the UK U19 All-Star Game and U18 Cup. The 6'2 center maintained career statistics of 11.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game in her high school career.
Williams is transferring to Sacred Heart for her senior season after playing last year at George Mason. The 5'10 guard appeared in 14 games with the Patriots, averaging 7.2 minutes per game. She scored a season-best six points in 16 minutes in a win over Robert Morris on November 18. Before George Mason, Williams played two seasons at Radford, averaging 7.1 points over 59 games. The Voorhees, N.J., native was second on the Highlanders with 9.4 points per game in 2022-23.
These four players join a team that won back-to-back Northeast Conference (NEC) Championships and made two consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament. SHU returns 10 players from last season's roster after three team members graduated this spring.
SHU is adding Dianne Crespo López, Grace John, Esther-Naomi Kursite-Kobri and Carmen Williams to an already impressive 2024-25 roster.
"I am thrilled to welcome four dynamic players to our program this season," said Mannetti. "Each brings a unique and talented skill set that will compliment our style of play immediately. They will add depth to an already talented roster and help to continue to elevate our level during our exciting transition to the MAAC."
Crespo López, a 5'10 guard from Río Grande, Puerto Rico, joins the Pioneers after a noteworthy secondary school career. In addition to playing at her high school, Colegio Adianez, Crespo López helped Puerto Rico win the 2023 Centrobasket U17 Women's Championship, leading the team with 10.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. She ranked third in the tournament in rebounds per game, added 9.8 points per game as Puerto Rico's most efficient player.
John began her collegiate career at Barton Community College in Great Bend, Kansas. She appeared in 61 games with the Cougars, starting all 31 games during her sophomore season. In her second collegiate campaign, she finished second on the team with 4.5 assists and third with 5.1 rebounds per game. The 5'4 guard from Bayelsa, Nigeria, also averaged 8.8 points per game as an all-around asset for the Cougars.
Kursite-Kobri comes to Fairfield from London, England, where she wrapped up a successful high school career at the City of London Academy. Her secondary school highlights include being a two-time High School National Champion and playing in the Hoopsfix, the UK U19 All-Star Game and U18 Cup. The 6'2 center maintained career statistics of 11.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game in her high school career.
Williams is transferring to Sacred Heart for her senior season after playing last year at George Mason. The 5'10 guard appeared in 14 games with the Patriots, averaging 7.2 minutes per game. She scored a season-best six points in 16 minutes in a win over Robert Morris on November 18. Before George Mason, Williams played two seasons at Radford, averaging 7.1 points over 59 games. The Voorhees, N.J., native was second on the Highlanders with 9.4 points per game in 2022-23.
These four players join a team that won back-to-back Northeast Conference (NEC) Championships and made two consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament. SHU returns 10 players from last season's roster after three team members graduated this spring.
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