TOM JESSEE ANNOUNCES 25-26 INCOMING WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CLASS
TAMPA, Fla. – University of Tampa head women's basketball coach Tom Jessee has announced his group of nine incoming players, set to join the Spartans' roster for the 2025–2026 season.
Among the newcomers are five transfers and four high school signees. The high school players include Maddie O'Berski, Cassidy Kruesi, Noelle Mengel, and Faith Pickens. The transfers are Alanis Diaz (Saint Leo University), Ryan Franklin (Missouri Southern State University), Jaylin Hartman (George Washington University/University at Buffalo), Helena Kuck (Western Nebraska CC), and Amy Thompson (University of South Florida).
This class is noted for its size, speed, and shooting ability, blending experienced transfers with talented freshmen.
Tom Jessee on the Incoming Class and Recruitment Process
"The overall class is a big class; there are nine new players in that class. With only four returning players, the need for a big recruiting class comes into play. There are five transfers and four freshmen. We're really excited about the potential of the class. Among this class, there's good size and good shooting. There's a good blend of transfer players and returning players to go along with the incoming freshmen as they learn their way around. A focal point of the recruiting class was to solidify that center position, having lost those players to graduation. I'm super excited about this group; on paper, they are really talented."
Maddie O'Berski | 5-9 | G/F | Fr. | Fort Myers, Fla. | Evangelical Christian School
Maddie O'Berski, a 5'9" guard/forward from Fort Myers, Fla., enjoyed a decorated career at Evangelical Christian School under coach Dwayne Donnell. A nominee for the 2024 Women's Basketball Athlete of the Year, she graduated as ECS's all-time leading scorer, surpassed the 1,000-point career milestone, and helped guide the program to the 2023–24 state championship.
Off the court, O'Berski was active in her community, serving as a camp counselor with Hoops on Mission, Summer Sports Camp, and the Summer Shootout.
Tom Jessee on Maddie O' Berski
"Maddie's another freshman, a local state player from the Fort Myers area that we recruited out of our camps. I just love her work ethic, love her size, love her energy. She's passionate about the game, can score the ball, and can defend the ball. Maddie will come in and push right away for some playing time, so it will just be a matter of her learning the systems, the playbook, and the shot clock. I expect big things out of her."
Alanis Diaz | 5-10 | G/F | Grad. | The Bronx, N.Y. | St. Leo University
Alanis Diaz, a 5'10" guard/forward from the Bronx, N.Y., joins the Spartans from Sunshine State Conference rival Saint Leo University, bringing proven SSC experience and versatility to the roster.
A standout performer, Diaz was named Second Team All-SSC last season after several impressive outings, including a career-high 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 39 minutes played in a single game. Before her collegiate career, she was recognized as a Southwestern 4A All-Conference player under high school coach Robert Conrad. Diaz's scoring ability, rebounding strength, and leadership make her a key addition for the Spartans.
"Alanis Diaz is a transfer to us from St. Leo here in the conference. She has one year of eligibility left. I'm really excited about having Alanis. She was one of the top field goal percentage shooters in the league last year and all her years there at St Leo. She will play the forward for us here. She can score the basketball and has great experience in the conference. She is a competitor; she fits the things we need in that forward position as she is very efficient, can rebound the ball, and is a smart basketball player. I expect immediate impact from her right away."
Ryan Franklin | 6-3 | C | Jr. | Edmond, Okla. | Missouri Southern State University
Ryan Franklin, a 6'3" center from Edmond, Okla. Franklin transferred to the Spartans from Missouri Southern State University, where she quickly made her mark as one of the top young players in the MIAA (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association).
During the 2023–24 season, Franklin was named MIAA Freshman of the Year and earned All-MIAA Honorable Mention, in addition to being selected as MSSU Women's Athlete of the Year. She also excelled in the classroom, earning multiple MIAA academic honors. On the court, she showcased her dominance with 2024-25 season highs of 32 points, 13 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 2 steals. With her size, versatility, and two-way presence, Franklin is expected to be an immediate impact player for the Spartans.
"Ryan is a 6'3" center transfer to us from Division II. She was a two-year starter out there. She can score the ball really well and is an all-conference player at the Division II level. We expect her to transition right over to us really well. We play through the center a lot here. She's got great size, can score the basketball with her back to the basket as well as faced up. Ryan helps fill the need for solidifying the center position. The sky's the limit for her; she could be the next great center here for us. The game experience that she brings to us is invaluable. She understands how the college game works. We're excited to have her size at 6'3". Excited to have Ryan in our program. She's a class player with a good work ethic, and will be a perfect fit for us."
Jaylin Hartman | 6-2 | F | Jr. | Mendham Boro, N.J. | George Washington University/University at Buffalo
Jaylin Hartman, a 6'2" forward from Mendham, N.J., transfers from the University at Buffalo, bringing Division I experience and a decorated high school career.
Ranked 42nd nationally in her class by the Dan Olson Collegiate Girls Basketball Report, she was a two-time Mid-Atlantic Prep League First Team selection and four-year starter at Blair Academy. There, she helped the Bucs win three MAPL titles and a New Jersey Prep A State Championship.
Hartman was also a U16 Olympic Invitee—one of only 30 players nationally—and led her team in nearly every major category as a junior.
"Jaylin is a 6'2" transfer forward for us from a Division I school. We're excited about having her. She could be a Swiss Army knife kind of player. She can play outside, inside, and she can run the floor, she can handle the ball, and she can shoot it. I expect her to come in and be a starter and a major impact player at that forward spot for us right away. She brings experience from Division I, and she was a highly recruited player out of high school by Division I schools. She was ranked as one of the top 20 players in the country in her position, so we're really excited about having her in our program, and I think as soon as she gets settled into how we play, she's got a chance to be a special player for us."
Cassidy Kruesi | 5-7 | G | Fr. | Manalapan, N.J. | Saint Rose HS
Cassidy Kruesi, a 5'7" guard from Manalapan, N.J., played at Saint Rose High School under coach Christine Hatfield, where she established herself as a scorer and tough defender.
In 2024–25, she totaled 393 points, averaging 14 per game while knocking down 74 three-pointers. She also reached the 1,000-point career milestone and earned All-Shore First Team honors. Known for her deep shooting range and defensive presence, Kruesi brings skill and grit to the Spartans' backcourt.
"Cassidy Kruesi comes in, she's a guard, played a bit of a combo guard as a freshman. A highly recruited player out of the New Jersey area. She's been coming to our camps for several years. She might be the sleeper of the group, kind of flown under the radar a bit. I love her game, she's a competitor, can defend, can score, can play a couple positions, so like the other freshman, the faster she picks up the playbook, the quicker she'll see more court time, and again I think the sky's the limit for her. "
Helena Kuck | 5-3 | G | Jr. | Blumenau, Brazil | Western Nebraska CC
Helena Kuck, a 5'3" guard from Blumenau, Brazil, transfers to Tampa after two standout seasons at Western Nebraska CC.
A five-time state team selection in Brazil, she was a four-time state champion and a member of the Brazil U19 National Team. At WNCC, she earned Region IX All-Region and All-Tournament Team honors, averaging 10.8 points, 3.7 assists, and shooting 38.2 percent from three last season.
Off the court, she was recognized for her academics with the Highest Sophomore Athlete GPA Award.
"Helena is a JUCO point guard transfer for us. She's a very small player in terms of size, but has good college experience from the junior college level and on the international side. She brings a couple of years of experience to that position. She can shoot the basketball and score, and run the team. I'm excited to have her experience, and I expect her to be a contributor."
Noelle Mengel | 5-9 | G | Fr. | Brandon, Fla. | Bloomingdale HS
Noelle Mengel, a 5'9" guard from Brandon, Fla., was a standout at Bloomingdale High School under head coach Joel Bower. She built a reputation as a dynamic scorer and reliable shooter, bringing offensive firepower and depth to the Spartans' backcourt.
Throughout her career, Mengel averaged 13.7 points per game, highlighted by a junior season where she scored 20.6 per contest. As a senior, she added strength on the glass with 3.7 rebounds per game. Known for her shooting ability and consistency, she is expected to make an immediate impact as she transitions to the collegiate level.
"Noelle is a freshman here, a local player from Bloomingdale High School in Hillsborough County. Super excited about getting Noelle in our program. She's a very talented guard who can score the basketball in a variety of ways. Noelle can score at all three levels; she can shoot to three at a high percentage with great range, can get to the lane and create the mid-range, and can finish at the rim. She's one to keep an eye on. I think she could come in and help us right away as a freshman because of our offensive game. It'll be about her learning the system, like it will be for all freshmen. I'm glad to have her in our program, and I think the future is very bright for her. I expect her to come in ready to go right away because she's a competitor."
Faith Pickens | 6-3 | C | Fr. | Williamstown, W.V. | Williamstown HS
Faith Pickens, a 6'3" center from Williamstown, W.V., joins the Spartans after a standout career at Williamstown High School under coach Danny Bunch.
She was a three-time First Team All-Conference selection, a two-time First Team All-State pick, and finished her career as a 1,000-point scorer. Pickens also set the school's all-time rebounding record with 1,088 boards. She was named to the All-Tournament Team as a junior and became known as one of the state's most consistent frontcourt players.
Off the court, she excelled academically as a National Honor Society member, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA.
"Faith is a freshman center for us. We probably stole her from some Division I schools. With Faith's size at 6'3", her work ethic, and her ability to score the basketball, I think the sky's the limit for her. She was a highly recruited player by multiple levels of basketball. She's from West Virginia, where I'm from, so we share that little bit. I think she could be a young lady who could become the next face of the program in regards to post play. She can shoot the three, she can play with her back to the basket, and she is a big-time rebounder. The only thing that'll hold her back is adjusting to the college game and learning the playbook. I expect big things out of her, and we're excited to see what kind of player she'll become for us here."
Amy Thompson | 5-10 | G | So. | Stillwater, Minn. | University of South Florida
Amy Thompson, a transfer guard from the University of South Florida, arrives at Tampa after a decorated prep career at Stillwater Area High School (Minn.) under coach Tim Peper.
She earned All-Conference honors as a sophomore and junior, was recognized as an All-State Honorable Mention in 2022–23, and collected multiple accolades as a senior. Among them were a nomination for the 2024 McDonald's All-American Games, 2024 East Metro Girls Basketball Player of the Year, First Team All-State honors, and Suburban East Conference MVP.
As a senior, Thompson averaged 25.8 points per game while shooting 40.1 percent from three-point range. Basketball runs in the family, as her mother, Sarah, was a three-time All-American at St. Cloud State.
"I'm crazy excited about getting Amy in our program. She's a USF transfer from just up the street. She can really shoot the basketball. She's got a Caitlin Clark kind of range and was a phenomenal high school player. She's got good size for a guard. I expect her to come in and be a major impact player right away for us because she can shoot the basketball and score. I love her size, love her scoring ability, and her great work ethic. Super excited about having her in our program."