Women’s Basketball: Bienvenue à l’ère Amadou

The inaugural roster blends local familiarity with international talent and Division I experience.

By Levi Gwaltney
Source: NMSU Athletics
Based on Story and Photos By Emilio Garcia for NMSU: Courtesy

LAS CRUCES – The Aggies officially said bonjour to the Adeinyi Amadou era Tuesday, unveiling the first 12 student-athletes who will make up the inaugural roster under the 13th head coach in New Mexico State women’s basketball history.

The inaugural roster blends local familiarity with international talent and Division I experience. Las Cruces native Emma Christiano returns as the lone member of last season’s squad, while Amadou and his staff have added five freshmen and six transfers from Division I programs, including Texas A&M, South Florida, Seattle U and Rhode Island.

Perhaps the most striking feature of the roster is its unmistakable French saveur. Nine of the 12 student-athletes hail from France, reflecting Coach Amadou’s international recruiting ties and bringing a distinctly global flavor to the Aggies’ program.

The French contingent includes Eva Agba (Miramas), Lilyana Fontcha (Strasbourg), Eva Hamlil (Ivry-sur-Seine), Talia Kavoka (Paris), Imane Loubibet (Paris), Aimée Michel (Albi), Justine Mouyokolo (Lorient), Julia Saillard (Montpellier) and Sena Sert (Firminy).

Joining them are junior guard Raina Tomasicka of Jēkabpils, Latvia, sophomore guard Jana Vesic of Belgrade, Serbia, and Christiano, who provides the Aggies with a hometown connection as the lone returning player.

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The new roster features seven guards and six post players as Amadou begins building the foundation for his first season in Las Cruces.

Las Cruces Digest extends a warm welcome to the newest members of the Aggie family.

Bienvenue au Nouveau-Mexique! to Eva Agba, Lilyana Fontcha, Eva Hamlil, Talia Kavoka, Imane Loubibet, Aimée Michel, Justine Mouyokolo, Julia Saillard and Sena Sert.

Dobrodošli u Novi Meksiko! to Jana Vesic of Belgrade, Serbia.

And to Raina Tomasicka of Jēkabpils, Latvia, Priecīgus Līgo svētkus! We hope your Midsummer celebration is a memorable one, and welcome to New Mexico.