Great Lakes Wire

Northern Michigan University has announced the signing of six new players to its women's basketball team for the 2026-27 season. Head coach Casey Thousand confirmed that Taylor Gifford, Adysen Fanta, Alli Jirsa, Izzy Ivezaj, Teagan Schoenecker, and Claire VanDamme have all signed National Letters of Intent.

"We are absolutely thrilled about our incoming 2026 recruiting class," said Thousand. "Each of these young women embodies the values that define our program, and we can't wait to watch them grow as individuals and teammates. They represent a talented and well-rounded group from across the Midwest region, and we are confident they will make a positive impact within our team while continuing to build our culture of excellence."

Taylor Gifford is a forward from Waukesha West High School in Wisconsin. She averaged 12.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game and was recognized twice as Second Team All-Conference and named to the Classic 8 All-Defensive Team. Gifford also received two Scholar-Athlete Awards.

Adysen Fanta joins from Downers Grove North High School in Illinois as a guard. She averaged 7.8 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, earning West Suburban Silver All-Conference honors along with DuPage County All-Area Honorable Mention recognition. Fanta played a role in leading her high school team to two Regional Championships and one conference title. Off the court, she participated in leadership roles including Head Ambassador for Morgan's Message, Yearbook Editor-in-Chief, National Honor Society membership, student council activities, and various community service initiatives.

Alli Jirsa arrives from Verona Area High School in Wisconsin as a point guard who averaged 13.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, four assists, and three steals per game during her junior year. She earned First Team All-Conference honors in 2025 as well as D1 All-State Honorable Mention recognition. Jirsa holds a GPA of 3.97 and is a three-time Academic All-State honoree.

Izzy Ivezaj comes from Stoney Creek High School in Michigan where she played center and averaged 7.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks per game last season. Ivezaj set school records for most blocks (86) and most rebounds (223) in a season while serving as captain for three years on varsity over four seasons total; she also helped lead her team to MHSAA Division I District and Regional Championships.

Teagan Schoenecker is another addition from Oregon High School in Wisconsin who can play both guard or forward positions; she posted averages of 19.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game last season along with First Team All-Conference recognition in basketball after helping win the state championship on her school's soccer team the previous year.

Claire VanDamme joins NMU from Theodore Roosevelt High School in Ohio where she played center; VanDamme averaged twelve points along with ten rebounds per contest while earning league honors over multiple seasons as well as inclusion on several top performer lists nationally such as Prep Hoops Top Performer list.

All six recruits are members of their respective high schools' National Honor Societies or hold similar academic distinctions.