Pittsburgh, Pa. – Under the leadership of head coach Dan Burt, who enters his 12^th season, the Duquesne women's basketball team added five newcomers and three transfers that will hit the court for the Dukes during the 2024-25 campaign.

Donning the red and blue next season will be Andjela Matic, Gabby Hutcherson, Reina Green, Kellie McConnell, Mackenzie Blackford, Faith Walker, Nadia Moore, and Fatou Sane.

ANDJELA MATIĆ | Ub, Serbia | Vermont
A transfer from Vermont, Matić joins the Dukes after appearing in 57 games while making six starts in two seasons with the Catamounts. She averaged a career-high 19.8 minutes per game while netting 7.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists last season. The Serbia native paced the squad with a .480 average (47-for-98) from behind the arc while sitting second on the team with 47 triples made. Her 1.3 three-pointers per game ranked 10^th in the America East Conference while sitting second on the team. Matic posted 10 games in double figures, including a career-best 19 points and eight rebounds against Niagara in the second round of the WNIT. She featured a streak of four consecutive games of scoring 14+ points, including a pair 18-point performances against UAlbany and at New Hampshire. Matic registered at least four field goals in 11 contests last season while collecting a career-high five assists at New Hampshire. She played at Sabac High School, where in 2021-22 she averaged 11.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game, earning MVP honors for her team.

"When we saw Andjela's name in the portal, we quickly zeroed in on her," Burt said. "Andjela was the top three-point shooter in the portal this past season and we are very happy that she chose Duquesne. She is more than a highly proficient three-point shooter, she is great in the pick and roll, a highly skilled ball handler, and can lead a team as a point guard. Andjela will join us after competing for a spot on the Serbian Olympic Team this summer. We expect her to make an immediate impact."

GABBY HUTCHERSON | Westerville, Ohio | Pitt
Hutcherson comes to the Bluff after spending the last two seasons at the University of Pittsburgh. She appeared in 55 games while making 14 starts for the Panthers. Hutcherson average 15.1 minutes, 4.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game in her two seasons in the Steel City. She netted over 230 points while collecting 169 total rebounds and tallying 25 steals in the royal and gold. The Ohio native was also productive in the classroom as she was named to the All-ACC Academic Team the past two seasons. Overall, Hutcherson has recorded over 350 career points, 250 rebounds, 55 blocks, and 40 steals in her career. She began her career at Ohio State where she was a two-time OSU Scholar-Athlete and was named to the Big Ten All-Academic team in 2022.

"Gabby is someone we have been familiar with since high school," Burt explained. "Her game experience in the Big Ten and ACC will provide major dividends to our team. Since arriving on campus this early summer, Gabby has been fantastic as a basketball player and an even better as a human being. She is a joy to coach and an outstanding teammate. She will be a very important part of our on-court success this year."

REINA GREEN | Fort Lauderdale, FL. | Pensacola State
A transfer from Pensacola State College, Green joined the Dukes this past January as a gray shirt. In six games with the Pirates, she's averaged 8.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per contest while shooting 44.4 percent from the floor. Green shot 33.3 percent from behind the arc while knocking down 67.0 percent from the charity stripe. She recorded 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the floor, including 3-for-5 from long range in a victory over East Georgia State College. Green collected five boards and three steals in the win. The Florida native opened the year with her first career double-double, totaling 11 points and 10 rebounds while collecting two assists in a win over Florida Southwestern. She posted her third game of the season in double-figures, netting 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting and collected four caroms. The 5-8 guard played at St. Thomas Aquinas high school, where she lettered four times and was a two-year starter. As a senior, she averaged 8.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game while being named Defensive Player of the Year. Green is a three-time State Champ and a three-time District Champion with the Raiders while being named to the Honor Roll.

"Reina will come to us for the January semester and gray shirt," stated Burt. "This allows her to acclimate to our program. Reina is an athletic, hardworking multi positional player who plays exceptionally hard. Reina is a very good student, in the classroom and on the court. We expect her to provide an impact when she arrives on campus."

KELLIE MCCONNELL | Pittsburgh, Pa.
No stranger to the Bluff, McConnell joins the Dukes after playing her high school ball at North Allegheny. She helped the Tigers to a 27-1 season her freshman year, leading them to claiming the State Championship. McConnell earned Big 56 Conference All-Section honorable mention status that season. After being sidelined by a knee injury her sophomore year, McConnell returned and led the Tigers to a 22-6 record and another WPIAL Class 6A Championship during her junior campaign. The 5-3 guard received Second Team All-Section honors by the Big 56 Conference that year. McConnell has family ties with the Dukes as her cousin Megan is currently a junior on the team while her mother Sherri started all four years at Duquesne and led the Dukes in assists, steals, and foul shooting percentage. Her older cousin, T.J. also played for the red and blue, who was the league Rookie of the Year in 2010 and was named to the 2011 All-League Team

"Always bet on a McConnell," Burt Said. "We are excited to welcome our next member of the first family of Pittsburgh basketball to our team. Kellie is a point guard with a very high upside. She has just started to see her full potential. Quick, smart and high IQ, we look forward to Kellie learning under her cousin Meg for her first year at Duquesne."

MACKENZIE BLACKFORD | Solon, Ohio
A native of Solon, Ohio, Blackford averaged 25.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.7 steals per contest during her senior year before posting 19.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and shot 40.0 percent from behind the arc her junior season, leading Solon high school to a 22-5 overall record. She helped the Comets claim the District Championship her sophomore and junior year while earning regional runner-up as a junior.  The 5-8 shooting guard is no stranger to acquiring accolades as she was named the Greater Cleveland Conference Player of the Year while earning First-Team All-Northeast District honors. Blackford eclipsed 1,000 career points as a junior while being tabbed to the D1 All-Ohio Third-Team. The four-year starter and letterwinner is a three-time team captain while scoring the second most points in a single season (535) in Solon history. The Ohio native also buried the most three-pointers in a season (81) her junior year while collecting the most triples made in a career (150).

"Mackenzie is a combo guard who plays on and off the ball equally well," Burt stated. "Mackenzie fits our program perfectly as she is high achiever in the classroom and on the court. A scorer with a high IQ, Mackenzie has been well coached throughout her career, we are excited to see her immediate contributions to our program."

FAITH WALKER | York, Pa.
A very versatile player, Walker has helped the Bulldogs to 34 wins in her three seasons at West York Area high school. During her sophomore year, she led the Bulldogs to a 18-10 overall mark while making an appearance in the Elite 8 of the state playoffs. The 6-1 forward earned All-State status her sophomore year while being a three-time nominee for Miss PA., an award that recognizes the best high school basketball players in Pennsylvania, both male and female. Walker is a two-time All-County recipient for both basketball and volleyball while being a finalist for the YAIAA Athlete of the Year. She registered 22 points and 14 rebounds against Susquehannock before recording 17 points and 16 boards against Wyomissing during her junior season.

"Faith is a multi-dimensional player who has a high upside to her game," Burt said. "We plan on using Faith like Amaya Hamilton…playing every position on the floor during her time on the Bluff. With a very good summer of training, Faith has a chance to be a contributor early in her career."

NADIA MOORE | Washington, Pa.
A native of Washington, Pa., Moore comes to the Bluff after averaging over 25.0 points per game in her final season at Winchester Thurston before playing her senior season at J. Addison School in Canada. For Winchester Thurston, she helped the Bears capture two section championships while being ranked No. 4 in Class 2A. During her junior year, Moore became the youngest player in Winchester history to surpass the 1,000-point milestone. She was a three-time All-State selection while being named Preseason Player of the Year her junior season. The 5-10 guard also earned Trib HSSN Girls Basketball Player of the Week three times. For J. Addison School, Moore helped the Jaguars post an 18-1 record and secure the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association (OSBA) championship. The Washington native would continue to add accolades to her resume as she earned MVP of the Canletes Border Battles while being tabbed a First Team All-Star.

"Nadia is from my hometown of Washington, Pa and I'm incredibly excited that she is joining our basketball family," Burt continued. "Nadia continues to diligently work at her craft. She was recently named the MVP of the prestigious Chris Smalling Tournament in Toronto. Nadia shoots the ball well from beyond the college line. She plays hard, she rebounds, she leads. Nadia also is a very motivated student as she has taught herself to be fluent in Mandarin Chinese and French. Very excited at Nadia joining us."

FATOU SANE | Guediawaye, Senegal
Sane joins the Dukes after playing at J. Addison School in Canada. A 6-0 forward who can create mismatches, is no stranger in playing defense. Sane was awarded the Defensive MVP of the NBA Basketball without Borders Girls Global Camp in 2023.

"Fatou was the Defensive MVP of the prestigious Basketball Without Borders event in Las Vegas earlier this summer," said Burt. "At 6-1, quick, physically mature and grown-woman strong, Fatou will provide for mismatches all over the floor. Fatou will make an immediate impact on our program."

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