Gabby Hunter (Bedford, New Hampshire) is a 5’10” guard, who comes to the Big Green after a successful career at Tilton. She is a two-time Lakes Region and NEPSAC Class B All-Star. She won a NHIAA Division I Girl’s Basketball Championship, as well as a NEPSAC Class B title. Hunter is a two-time MacMorran Scholar and has basketball in her family, after her cousin Othello Hunter played basketball at Ohio State from 2004-06 before a short stint with the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks from 2008-10.
“Dartmouth unconsciously shouts community, and coming from a close knit high school environment where the same element was so highly celebrated, I knew that this place was where I could find a sense of familiarity. From a student athlete point of view, I felt comforted by the ambitious, supportive and genuine personalities of the coaching staff. And when they speak of goals, they are nothing short of heartfelt. Ambition is priceless. Today, I find myself at Dartmouth in part of this very same ambition.
This year there are so many things to look forward to. From meeting new people to developing school spirit to being apart of a NCAA Division 1 team and family, there is much to be experienced. All in all, I am most excited to get to know my teammates better and to win our 18th Ivy League championship.” – Gabby
Paula Lenart (Covasna, Romania) is a 5’11” guard/forward, who most recently played for the Northfield Mount Hermon School in Gill, Massachusetts, where she won a New England Eight Championship. As a member of the Romanian National Team, Lenart has won two championships at the U16, U18 and U20 European Division B levels.
“Since the first year of middle school, I was a person who tried to prove that academics and athletics can be on the same page. I work hard to fit both the expectations of my coaches and my teachers, so when it came choosing a college, it was really important to find a place with good academics and a competitive athletic program. Staying in my country was not an option, so I decided to look for schools in the U.S. While connecting with different universities, I was lucky enough to hear a positive response from the Dartmouth coaches. I was amazed by their openness and positive energy, so I immediately checked the Dartmouth website. I found a school with diverse and passionate students and faculty, a supporting and helpful environment, a competitive athletic program and a really good Brain Sciences department. It is a perfect fit for me, because it is located in a town similar to my own in Romania -- I might be one of the few people who chose Dartmouth because of its climate.
I am very excited about everything. I am excited for the season. I am looking forward to getting to know my teammates and becoming a part of the DWB family. I want to be challenged and to grow as an athlete. I am also looking forward to discovering some new passions, and taking courses I have never taken before (especially a creative writing course and psychology).” – Paula
Annie McKenna (Elmwood Park, Illinois) is a 5’5” point guard, who led Trinity to two Girls Catholic Athletic Conference titles and was named Player of the Year by the GCAC and Athlete of the Year by Trinity. She also guided her team to a third place finish in the Illinois High School Association’s State Tournament in her final season.
“I chose Dartmouth because I wanted a school that would offer the best education while giving me the opportunity to play basketball at the highest level.
I am most excited about participating in Dartmouth’s unique traditions, and meeting people from all around the world.” – Annie
Danielle Nieters (Clemmons, North Carolina) is a 6’0” guard, who was a three-time All-Conference forward for Bishop McGuiness Catholic High School. She was a two-time state champion and was named to the All-Northwest team her junior year. Nieters comes from a basketball family, as her mother and sister played basketball in college.
“I chose Dartmouth because it felt like home from the minute I visited my junior year. Everyone was so welcoming and passionate about the school I knew it was the right fit for me.
I'm most excited about pushing myself in basketball this year and see how I improve. I'm also really looking forward to meeting all kinds of new and different people and start building friendships.” – Danielle
Grace Phillips (Downingtown, Pennsylvania) is a 6’0” guard, who joins Dartmouth after serving as a two-year captain at Bishop Shanahan High School where she led her team to a pair of Ches-Mont Championships. She was named to the Ches-Mont All-Conference Second Team her senior year after earning First Team honors in her junior season.
“I decided to come to Dartmouth having always been interested in the Ivy League as it offers excellent academics as well as competitive athletics. I fell in love with the campus, coaches and team, and sense of community I felt when I was at Dartmouth and I knew that is was the perfect fit for me.
I'm most excited about the upcoming basketball season, meeting new people, and learning from amazing professors.” – Grace
Julianna Thomson (Conestogo, Ontario) is a 6’2” forward who will be the first Canadian player in program history. She recently graduated from Woodland Christian High School, where she was a two-time MVP and two-time District Eight All-Star. She is a three-time Central Western Ontario Schools Association Champion and won a Canadian National Championship with Team Ontario.
“I decided to come to Dartmouth because I knew that I wanted to play basketball in the United States. I wanted to find a school and coaching staff that placed the same emphasis on my education as they did on basketball. Here at Dartmouth, the resources are available to help me become a better person, student and athlete. I know when I leave Dartmouth in four years, I'll be a better version of who I am now, supported by the close-knit, dedicated community.
I am most excited to start this new journey surrounded by passionate individuals. On the basketball court I am super pumped about training, practicing and playing with girls and coaches who will challenge and push me like never before. In the classroom, I am looking forward to being introduced to new ideas, especially those that are different than my own.” – Julianna