A wave of Irish talent is headed to the U.S. this year, with nine Irish women set to enter NCAA Division 1 basketball for the 2025 season – a record-breaking milestone for the sport in Ireland.
This surge brings the total number of Irish players competing in D1 women’s basketball close to twenty – reflecting the rapid growth of the sport, especially for young women and girls across the country.
It’s a powerful moment for Irish basketball, showcasing how far the game has come and the level of talent now emerging from Irish clubs and development pathways.
These athletes are set to represent Ireland on a major international stage – flying the tricolour proudly and continuing to raise the standard.
The players making the leap to D1 this season are:
- Emma Tolan – Oklahoma
- Grace Prenter – Texas
- Sidney Quinn – Navy
- Mackenzie Teevan – Holy Cross
- Sophie Nascimento – Sacred Heart
- Helena Keane – Yale
- Rachel Lynch – Le Moyne
- Andrea Jude – American University
- Gandy Malou-Mamel – UConn
Congratulations to all nine players on this incredible achievement. The future of Irish basketball has never looked brighter!