Bronx, N.Y. – Head coach
Stephanie Gaitley and the Fordham women's basketball program have today announced the signings of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the Rams' 2021 recruiting class and Class of 2026 – Kaila Berry, Rose Nelson, Ashley O'Connor, and Faith Pappas.
"This class fill a lot of voids. The key was to fill sports due to injury or graduation. I'm excited by what this group can offer on so many different levels. We have scorers, defenders, rebounders, and most important winners both on and off the court!"
Berry, a 5'11 forward from Brooklyn, played four years at St. John's Prep under coach Michael Locasio. A team captain and an All-Star selection, she played her club ball with New Heights Platinum.
"Kailah comes from the same high school as Lexie [Tarul]. She is a talented small forward who can play a variety of positions. Her ability to go inside-out will create matchup problems."
Nelson, a 6'1 forward from Wallacia, New South Wales, Australia, has played the last six years at St. Paul's Grammar School and its Division I team, including the last five with the varsity squad under coach Jenna Weaks. A two-time team captain, Nelson was the varsity MVP each of the past four years and St. Paul's Basketball Player of the Year each of the last three, plus the Duffy Medal this year, the school's highest athletic honor. The past three seasons, Nelson has been both an Independent Schools Association and New South Wales Combined Independent Schools team member for three years and the team captain this season, as well as a New South Wales All-Schools team honoree this year. Outside of school, Nelson has played with the Penrith Panthers since 2014. Their Player of the Year in 2019, Nelson has helped the Panthers be a New South Wales state championship grand finalist. Nelson also plays soccer and futsol.
"Rose will provide much needed depth at the forward position as we graduate Vilisi and Meg. She is tough and can score as well as rebound. I'm excited to add another great Aussie to the roster."
O'Connor, a 5'9 guard from Sea Bright, N.J., has earned four varsity letters at Saint John Vianney under head coach Dawn Karpell, mother of junior
Sarah Karpell, who also attended the school. As a sophomore, O'Connor led the Lancers to Non Public A State and Shore Conference championships, earning Hoop Group All-Shore Defensive honors in the process. The Lancers were ranked by ESPNW as the #1 team in New Jersey and 19
th in the country last year and currently sit 11
th nationally this season but also 9
th according to Blue Star Media. As a junior, her first year as a team captain, O'Connor helped earn the Lancers another conference title while garnering All-Shore First Team accolades and doubling up on All-Defensive honors. She was also named by NJ.com as All-Division Second Team and one of their best Junior Girls Basketball players. O'Connor also competed in the No Boyz Allowed summer league and was named an All-Star and semifinal MVP. O'Connor plays her club ball with the NJ Shoreshots where she is also a team captain and has earned Third Team All-Hoop Group Showcase League honors.
"Ashley is the point guard on one of the top teams in the nation. She is a winner! She is tough and can shoot and score off the dribble. She knows the game. I love having another coach on the court!"
Pappas, a 5'11 wing from Long Valley, N.J., has earned four letters, first at West Morris Central as a freshman and then the last three years at Pope John XXIII under head coach John Slackman. At West Morris Central, Pappas was a First Team All-County and All-Conference selection, leading the Wolfpack in scoring and the second-most blocks. Despite only playing half of her sophomore season due to transfer rules, Pappas still garnered All-Conference accolades after averaging 15 points per game and leading the squad in three-pointers. During last year's shortened campaign, she still repeated All-Conference after averaging another 15 points per game and leading in threes again. This year, Pappas is a team captain and enters the year 252 points shy of 1,000 for her career.
"We have been following Faith for a few years. She's a blue collar worker who can really shoot the ball. She has an incredible work ethic and those players blossom in our program."
