NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Yale women's basketball program welcomes six incoming first-years for 2025-26. The Bulldogs announced the class Wednesday.
The incoming Bulldogs have been a part of successful teams, with four having won championships at various levels. They have excelled on the court, with three earning MVP honors. They have leadership experience, as five have been team captains.
The newest Bulldogs have contributed to their communities in a variety of ways, including volunteering as camp counselors and tutors and at a food pantry. They have been involved with organizations such as Girls Who Code.
The class joins the Bulldogs for the team's fourth season with
Dalila Eshe as Yale's Joel E. Smilow, Class of 1954 Head Coach of Women's Basketball.
Here is a look at the newest Bulldogs:
Rachel Augustine Itua
5-10
Guard/Forward
Alcalá de Henares, Spain
IES Antonio Machado
National Teams: U18F top 10 in two-pointers 2023-24, 2024-25... U18F top 10 in rebounds 2023-24… U18F Madrid Final 4 fourth place 2023-24… U16F Spanish championship 11th place 2022-23… U16F Madrid Final 4 third place 2022-23… U16F Spanish Championship (Clubs) fourth place 2021-22... U16F Madrid Final 4 first place 2021-22… U14F Madrid Selection (first place)... U14F Best Athlete in Alcalá de Henares.
Notes: Volunteer at Voluntariado Machado, helping children study.
Why Yale? "The Yale women's basketball team proved to have an amazing roster right from my very first visit. Not only was it comprised of amazing players and staff who I could learn from, but also fantastic people who helped those around them. This and their outstanding academics really cemented my decision to go to Yale."
Radhika Garapaty
5-9
Guard
Milpitas, Calif.
Notre Dame San Jose High School
Notre Dame San Jose High School: Basketball team captain junior and senior years… Senior Most Valuable Athlete Award… National Athletic Honors Society… First team all-league in WBAL senior year… Averaged 19.9 ppg during CCS run senior year… Second team all-league in WBAL junior year… MVP of CCS championship game junior year… Sportsmanship award of CCS championship game junior year… Honorable Mention for Best Bay Area girls basketball player junior year… Mercury News athlete of the week during CCS title run junior year… Overcame ACL surgery… Team MVP senior and junior years… Team was CCS Champions 2024 (first CCS win ever, by any sport, in school history)... Back-to-back appearances in CCS finals… Back-to-back appearances in state CIF playoffs… Finished third (tied with another school) in WBAL.
Notes: Loves to volunteer as a camp counselor for those who are interested in creative thinking, athletics, culinary skills and design… Dabbles in electric guitar… Black belt in mixed martial arts – 8+ years of martial arts experience… First person in her family to compete in a college sport… Would love to be an inspiration to those who will come after her: "One of my goals is for younger athletes to use my presence in this space as a blueprint for their dreams and aspirations - just as many of my role models have done for me."
Why Yale? "I chose Yale because it offered a rare combination of an elite education, a very tight-knit community, and the opportunity to compete in the highest level of Division I Basketball – all while staying true to who I am and what I value. The coaching staff at Yale stood out to me immediately – they believed in me, not just as an athlete, but as a leader and a person, and that made all the difference."
Sophia Gibson
6-4
Forward
Taylor Mill, Ky.
Notre Dame Academy
Notre Dame Academy: Basketball team captain… 9th Region all-tournament team… 35th District all-tournament team… Team MVP… Led team in field goal percentage and rebounds… Northern Kentucky Coaches Association all-conference Division I… Best Offensive Player… Player of the Game for Queen of the Commonwealth Tournament... 1,000 point club… Team was two-time 35th District champions… Also competed for track and field team.
Notes: Enjoys track and field, especially throwing shot put… Avid reader… Loves to take time to hang out with friends… Also loves playing pickleball, kayaking and hiking.
Why Yale? "The Yale women's basketball program immediately felt like family. From my very first visit, I sensed a special connectivity throughout the team and coaches. This support and connection are things I deeply wanted to be a part of, which made the decision to go to Yale easy."
Dorka Kastl
6-2
Forward
Budapest, Hungary
Holderness School
Holderness School: Basketball team captain... Class C All-NEPSAC senior and junior years… Team MVP senior year… Lakes Region Athletic League All-Star junior year… Team advanced as far as NEPSAC Class C semifinals… Also played soccer.
Notes: Enjoys community service, cooking, baking and photography.
Why Yale? "When I visited Yale, it just clicked. The coaches, the team, the energy on campus — it all felt magnetic and welcoming. I knew I'd be pushed to grow both academically and athletically, but I also knew I'd be supported like family. It just felt like home from the first moment."
Olivia Kim
5-8
Guard
Broomfield, Colo.
Broomfield High School
Broomfield High School: Basketball team captain senior year… Academic all-state senior, junior and sophomore years… First team all-conference senior and junior years… All-state senior and junior years… Highest three-point field goal percentage (51%) in state among girls with more than 50 three-point attempts 2024-25… Selected for first team all-conference All-Star Game senior, junior and sophomore years… Selected by media for The Show Colorado All-Star Game 2024, 2025… Selected to play in CCGS All-State All-Star Game senior year… One of two from Colorado that got invited to NCAA Women's College Basketball Academy 2024 (individual pathway)... Second team all-conference sophomore year… Team was league champions her senior year… Team qualified for state tournament all four years… Golf team captain senior year… Second team all-conference in golf junior year.
Notes: Soprano/alto in choir… Plays piano… Enjoys doing volunteer work.
Why Yale? "I chose Yale because I was looking for a school that combined strong academics with a competitive basketball program—and Yale offered the best of both worlds. But what truly made it feel like home was the culture, both within the team and across the entire campus. I can't wait to be part of the Bulldog Family!"
Hannah Wasserman
5-11
Guard
Scarsdale, N.Y.
Scarsdale High School
Scarsdale High School: Basketball team captain senior and junior years… All-section sophomore and freshman years… All-league sophomore and freshman years… Richard McNichol Christmas Tournament All-Tournament Team 2021… Kari Pizzitola Holiday Tournament All-Tournament Team 2022… Honorable mention Westchester/Putnam All-Star Team 2022… Lohud NY Section 1 Watchlist of Top Underclassmen 2022… Led high school team in scoring, rebounds and blocked shots for both seasons played… Injured 2023-2024 and 2024-2025.
Notes: Volunteered at Bread of Life food pantry and founded an annual food drive at a local day camp… Volunteered as sports coach for special needs children… High school class treasurer… President of Girls Who Code… Mother ran track at Yale and father played basketball at Amherst College.
Why Yale? "Yale is my dream school! It's the ideal balance of outstanding academics, an incredible basketball program, and extraordinary people. I feel so lucky to join Yale's dynamic, collaborative community."
