CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland State women's basketball head coach Chris Kielsmeier announced his final additions to the 2021-22 recruiting class Friday morning, as Brittni Moore (Memphis, Tenn.), Amele Ngwafang (Silver Spring, Md.), Gabriella Smith (Bolingbrook, Ill.), and Deja Williams (Long Beach, Calif.) will join Faith Burch (Warren, Ohio) to complete the roster for the upcoming season.
"Our program is excited to announce and welcome our four newcomers. They all bring a wealth of experience at the collegiate level and have proven to be successful both on and off the court," Kielsmeier said. "All of these young women provide unique versatility that will align well with our system. Each of these student-athletes are a great fit for the future success and culture of Cleveland State women's basketball both on and off the court, and we couldn't be more thrilled to welcome them to our Viking family."
Moore joins the Vikings after spending two years at UT Martin, where she was a member of the OVC All-Newcomer Team. During her freshman campaign, Moore averaged 8.5 points per game, posting a .411 clip from the floor and a .447 clip from behind-the-arc. Moore finished with 11 double-figure scoring games during the 2018-19 season, while her 44.7 three-point field goal percentage ranked second among OVC players.
As a sophomore, Moore led the Skyhawks with 55 total steals, ranking 10th in the OVC averaging 1.7 steals per game. She also averaged 5.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game, helping UT Martin to back-to-back 20-win campaigns.
Moore, who sat out the 2020-21 season, started 31 of the 63 games she played in during her UT Martin career.
Kielsmeier on Moore: "Brittni's ability to be impactful on both ends of the floor is something we're very excited about. She brings a work ethic that will push herself, and this program, in a positive way. As a guard in our system, we're excited about her shooting and driving ability that will allow her to be versatile within our program. We are so excited to have Brittni as part of our women's basketball family."
Ngwafang comes to Cleveland State after playing her first two years of collegiate basketball at Radford, where she helped the Highlanders capture the 2018-19 Big South Tournament Championship. As a freshman during the 2018-19 campaign, Ngwafang played in 21 games averaging 1.8 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.
During her sophomore season, Ngwafang appeared in all 29 contests, shooting 41.8 percent from the floor averaging 8.5 points per game. In addition, she averaged 8.5 rebounds per game, and finished the year with seven double-doubles.
Ngwafang, who sat out the 2020-21 season, was nationally ranked as a sophomore for total rebounds, rebounds per game, free throws made and attempted.
Kielsmeier on Ngwafang: "Amele's length and athleticism will allow her to be productive on both ends of the floor. As a forward, we are excited about how physical she plays, which will allow her to be successful in the paint and on the boards. Amele embodies what it means to be part of our program in all areas of her life, and we are happy to have her in our women's basketball family."
Smith comes to Cleveland State after spending one year at Ball State and one year at Iowa Western. Most recently, Smith spent the 2020-21 season at Iowa Western, where she was named the ICCAC Player of the Year and earned NJCAA All-America Second Team honors.
Smith averaged 15.1 points per game on a .491 clip from the floor, while also averaging 6.3 rebounds per contest. In addition, she posted 60 assists and 37 steals, helping the Reivers to a 22-3 record and a trip to the 2021 NJCAA National Tournament.
As a freshman at Ball State, Smith played in 28 games for the Cardinals, averaging 4.1 points and 2.6 rebounds.
Kielsmeier on Smith: "Gabriella will bring an offensive punch on multiple levels on the floor as a guard in our program. Her ability to create will provide opportunities to give us what we need offensively. We're excited about what she brings and how she elevates her teammates. Gabriella is a true competitor and relentless hard worker, and we are thrilled to welcome her to our women's basketball family."
Williams joins the Vikings after spending her freshman season at Cal State Northridge, where she was named to the All-Big West Freshman Team. As a freshman, Williams ranked third on the team averaging 10.0 points per game, while she paced the Matadors with 55 made three-pointers.
In addition, Williams also combined for 46 steals and 45 assists during her freshman season, as she earned a spot in the starting lineup during 14 of the 29 contests she played.
Williams transferred to Cleveland State for the Spring 2021 semester after Cal State Northridge cancelled their 2020-21 season.
Kielsmeier on Williams: "Deja's quickness and speed is something that compliments our style of play. We are excited about her range and ability to handle the ball at the guard position. She has incredible vision, which allows her to open opportunities for her teammates. Deja exemplifies passion and competitiveness on the floor, and we are so happy to welcome her to Cleveland State."
