On Saturday evening, Virginia Tech women’s basketball received a commitment from Amelia Hassett, a 6-foot-3 sophomore from Eastern Florida State.
Virginia Tech women’s basketball picked up a commitment this evening from Amelia Hassett, a 6-3 forward from Eastern Florida State (JUCO).
The Australian (Albury, New South Wales) is averaging 19.4 points and 13.4 as a sophomore this year.
Fourth commit in 2024 class. #Hokies pic.twitter.com/upE5BkOp2k
— David Cunningham (@therealdcunna) February 11, 2024
In her second year in the JUCO ranks, Hassett is averaging 19.4 points and 13.4 rebounds per game while shooting 56 percent from the floor and 43 percent from three (on 91 attempts). She’s an 82.7 percent free throw shooter, too.
The forward hails from Albury, New South Wales, Australia. Prior to her commitment on Saturday, she had 10 games this season with 20-plus points, including two 30-point performances in which she was a combined 23-of-31 (74%) from the field and 8-of-12 from 3-point range with 28 rebounds, 12 assists and nine blocks.
As a freshman in 2022-23, she averaged nine and eight while helping her team reach the NJCAA Final Four. She has experience in the NLB1, too, an Australian semi-pro league run by the National Basketball League. Hassett competed in 18 games in 2022 between April and August and averaged 12.8 points and 8.1 rebounds. On top that, she has experience with her country’s youth national teams.
Hassett adds experience and versatility for Virginia Tech at the four. Though the frontcourt will take a hit with the departures of Elizabeth Kitley and Olivia Summiel after the season, Rose Micheaux (Sr. in 2024-25) and Clara Strack (So.) will return. The latter has seen an uptick in minutes recently and has been especially good on the glass and on the defensive end.
Hassett joins two other bigs — Clara Silva (6-7, C, Meinedo Portugal,) and Myah Hazelton (6-3, F, Baltimore, Md.) — in the class, along with Lexi Blue (6-2, G, Orlando, Fla.), who ESPN lists as a top-40 prospect.
It’s not the first time Kenny Brooks has looked to the JUCO level for quality talent in his time in Blacksburg, though it hasn’t happened in a few years. D’asia Gregg, who transferred from Gulf Coast State in 2020, was the last to do so. Other talented players from that route included Trinity Baptiste and Taylor Emery.
Here’s a snapshot of what Tech’s roster looks like for 2024-25. Note that Georgia Amoore has an opportunity to return if she chooses. It’s the final season that will incorporate COVID years.
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An outstanding pickup with the added pressure for Amore to play with a compatriot. I like it!
Welcome to Hokie Nation!!!! How exciting for us all!!!
I’m going to the Virginia Tech/Virginia women’s basketball game in Charlottesville. Before a few years ago, I had a little to no interest in women’s basketball, but that has really changed. These women are so skilled and are fun to watch.
I can echo your sentiments. Loved watching them go to the final four and starting watching them on TV. Went to the UNC game in person and then returned to Raleigh for NC State. One of my highlights was high fiving Liz Kitley’s dad after the NC State game. Now I am making plans for the ACC tournament. I am really impressed with the talent level in women’s basketball. Enjoy yourself- in person is even more exciting. Richmond Va
I will be there as well with wife and daughter and at the UNC home game!
Aussie to VT who would have thought. Go Hokies!
A great addition to a ton of talent! It will be another exciting year for us spectators! Coach will be challenged to name his starting 5….what a problem to have!
She’s a really nice addition — if Georgia returns, there won’t be any drop-off , I don’t believe
C’mon Georgia! Give us another year and play with our new Aussie! Please??
In Kenny we trust!!
Kenny going down under to get to the top. Worked once.
At least the 5th Aussie to play for the women, though one should not count, as she left very early. Others: Hannah Young, forward & 3-point bomber; Vanessa Panousis, great point guard & scorer (and advised Georgia that Tech would be great experience); and Georgia.
Crazy how young this team is and will be, adding Hassett will be like adding seniority even with two years left. Good luck to her, like Gregg, what an opportunity to move up in the basketball world whichit looks like she deserves.
With Georgia, but especially without her, this is a young team next year. Hassett does add some needed experience and the challenge for her, like all transfers, is to find her role. She sounds like a promising player and fills a need. I see her as most likely filling Summiel’s role.