Head coach Keitha Adams added five fresh faces to the 2022-2023 women’s basketball roster. On Thursday afternoon, Adams announced the signing of the five student-athletes to a National Letter of Intent.

Daniela Abies

Abies is a 6’0 forward from Malaga, Spain. She will enter WSU as a freshman with an undecided major. Before Adams found Abies through the transfer portal, she played for Salesianos San Bartolome, where she averaged 8.0 points and 6.0 during her career. She led Salesianos San Bartolome to a third-place finish at the Spain National Championship. Abies also played for Jesus Lazaro on their Senior Team and Manuel Trujillo on the Junior Team. 

“Daniela is a post player that brings an aggressive style to play,” Adams said via GoShockers’ website. “She has a rebounding mentality, can score inside, run the floor and give us depth in the post.”

Aniya Bell

Bell is originally from Washington, D.C. She will join the Shockers as a 5’9 guard from Fairleigh Dickinson majoring in criminal justice. Adams landed Bell through the transfer portal.

In the 2021-2022 season, she averaged 11.4 points and 5.1 rebounds, while shooting 44.5 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from three-point range. Bell scored a career-high of 27 points on Dec. 17, 2021 against Western Kentucky. Adding to her record, she posted 15 games in double figures. Four of the 15 included 20 or more points. Bell held a season-best six-game streak of 10 points or more. 

As a freshman, Bell appeared in 29 games and averaged 14.1 minutes of gametime per game. She averaged 5.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. 

“Aniya Bell is a scoring guard who can really shoot the basketball,” Adams said via GoShockers. “She brings great passion to the floor that it is fun to watch. We’re excited to have her on our team.”

Curtessia Dean

Dean is joining the Shockers as a criminal justice major from Monroe, Louisiana. Adams previously attended Seton Hall and was recruited from the transfer portal by Adams.

Dean was not a starter but still made an appearance in all 30 games from the 2021-2022 season. She averaged 4.2 points and 2.5 rebounds while playing 11.9 minutes per game.

Before attending Seton Hall, Dean spent two seasons at Trinity Valley Community, where she was a two-time WBCA First team All-American, NJCAA All-American and First Team All-Regional.

“Curtessia Dean is a scoring guard that brings veteran experience to our team,” Adams said via GoShockers website. “She can really score, is a great passer and knows how to read the game. We look for her to bring a scoring and winning mentality to Wichita State.”

LaLa Niankan

Niankan is a 6’1” forward from Montreal, Quebec. She will transfer to WSU from Odessa College as a biology major. 

In one season with Odessa, Niankan was named to the WJCAC All-Conference First Team. She played in all 25 games, starting in 23. Niankan averaged 16.2 points and made 7.3 rebounds per game. She scored double figures in 21 out of 25 games, scored 20 or more points in six games and scored over 30 points in two games. 

“Lala is a great athletic forward that can score both inside and out,” Adams said via GoShockers website. “She had several high scoring games at Odessa Community College. She can run the floor, rebound, defend and bring offense to our team.”

Raissa Nsabua

Nsabua is from Ottawa, Ontario. Nsabua will transfer to WSU from Mineral Area College as a computer engineering major. 

In the 2021-2021 season the 5’10 guard was named a First Team NJCAA All-Region DI selection. Nsabua played in 30 games while starting in 25. She averaged 8.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. Nsabua also performed 14 games with double figures. 

“Raissa is an upsize point guard who has a great feel for the game,” Adams said via GoShockers website. “She can get to the basket in transition very quickly. She’s a true point that likes to distribute the basketball to her teammates. She proved great leadership for her team at Mineral Area College.”