Shenendehowa’s Bella Stuart among five newcomers joining UAlbany women’s basketball team

FILE: Shenendehowa senior Bella Stuart looks to block out Averill Park sophomore Amelia Wood under the basket Tuesday night in Suburban Council action at Shenendehowa High School.

ALBANY, N.Y. — The University at Albany women’s basketball program and head coach Colleen Mullen announced five additional newcomers ahead of the 2024-25 season. Joining the Great Danes incoming class of 2024 are four transfers and one freshman.

Going 25-7 in 2023-24, UAlbany saw its third-straight 20-win season. The Great Danes finished the season with an appearance at the 2024 WNIT – their second consecutive WNIT appearance and third consecutive in a postseason tournament – and only five regular-season losses, a mere three of which were in America East action.

Bella Stuart returns to the Capital Region after playing four years at New Hampshire. A starter as a sophomore and senior, she was a consistent member of the Wildcats’ on-court team. Throughout the 2023-24 season, Stuart averaged 46.2 percent from the field with 165 points and 28 steals. Before becoming a Wildcat, she was a member of the Shenendehowa girl’s basketball team – back-to-back Class AA New York State Champions – with an All-New York Honorable Mention nod.

“Bella is a high-motor, hard-nosed swing player who will provide much-needed depth for us at the post position. She is a talented rebounder and has a skilled face-up game that extends out beyond the arc. We are excited to welcome Bella home to the Capital Region,” Mullen commented on Stuart.

A two-year starter for the Hawks, Kaci Donovan joins the Great Danes after three years at Monmouth and one year at Penn State. In her most recent season, she led Monmouth with 58 made three-pointers for 143 in three seasons. Tallying 349 points (11.6 ppg) in 2023-24 alone, she left Monmouth with 883 points (9.5/game) total. In high school, Donovan was a three-time All-NY State and four-time all-conference pick. She played for the varsity girl’s basketball team from seventh grade until graduation (six years) with four player of the year awards – two-time NYS Section IV, NY STAC Metro Division, and Tioga County.

“Kaci is a versatile scorer and playmaker with a great inside-out game and can play in various positions. She can stretch the defense with her three-point shooting ability and is a tremendous finisher in the paint. After a very successful career at Monmouth, Kaci will bring a wealth of experience that will add to our championship culture,” Mullen remarked on Donovan.

Joining the Great Danes with two years of eligibility, Laycee Drake had a breakout season as a sophomore. The former Retriever started all 29 games, averaging more than 30 minutes per game. Before playing in college, Drake led Hancock High School to its first conference championship title in program history.

“Laycee is an athletic, explosive guard who plays an up-tempo, exciting brand of basketball. She can create for herself or her teammates and is very skilled in ball screen action. Laycee’s midrange and three-point shooting ability will provide an offensive spark, especially in transition. She is a lock-down defender, and her defensive rebounding ability will make an immediate impact on our program,” Mullen noted about Drake.

Emma Hákonardóttir will join the Great Danes after competing for her nation’s team in the FIBA U18 European Championship Division B for two years. Seeing action in all seven games in both years, she averaged 26.8 minutes per game in 2023 and 14.5 minutes per game in 2022. As a team, Iceland finished twelfth, out of 18 teams, in 2022 before improving to seventh place in 2023.

“Emma is a versatile guard with a high basketball IQ. Playing for her home country, Iceland, she has gained valuable experience competing on the national stage. Emma’s size and strength will allow her to transition to the college game well,” Mullen said about Hákonardóttir.

Spending four years at Mount St. Mary’s University, Jessica Tomasetti was a two-year starter with playing time in nearly all games during her career. A 2023-24 Second Team All-MAAC selection, she completed her career as a Mountaineer with more than 1,000 points, nearly 500 rebounds, and a field goal percentage of over 40 percent. In high school, Tomasetti served as the team captain with First Team All-WCAC honors as a junior and a senior.

“Jessica is a gritty, tough, and talented playmaker and scorer. As a graduate transfer, Jessica will provide valuable experience and add depth to our backcourt.  She is a talented scorer and a skilled facilitator. She can score on all three levels and is a fierce competitor. Her winning mentality will elevate our program,” Mullen added on Tomasetti.

The above five student-athletes will join the previously announced four – Martina Borrelles, Delanie Hill, MaKayla Noble, and Manuela Piljevic.