Virginia’s basketball team made an announcement on Saturday regarding the addition of Casey Valenti-Paea, a transfer from Long Beach State, making her the fourth player recruited from the transfer portal by Coach Mox during the offseason. Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Valenti-Paea stands at 5’9″ and brings with her three years of collegiate experience. Her stats from the recent season at Long Beach State include an average of 9.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game. She also played at the University of Buffalo for two seasons between 2020 and 2022.
Valenti-Paea is described as a versatile guard with a strong ability to both score and defend, having been a top-20 recruit in Australia during her high school years. She showcased her skills by shooting efficiently from both the field and beyond the arc, with notable performances including a career-high 20 points against Pacific in December. Joining the Virginia backcourt alongside players like RyLee Grays, Latasha Lattimore, and Hawa Doumbouya, she adds depth to a young team.
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Despite the competition in the backcourt, Valenti-Paea’s skill set should integrate well into Coach Mox’s offensive strategy. With her capacity to attack the basket and shoot three-pointers effectively, she brings an additional dimension to the team. This signing brings Virginia’s scholarship count to 11 for the upcoming season, as Coach Mox aims to construct a well-rounded roster capable of competing in the NCAA Tournament.
