WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Monmouth University Women's Basketball and Head Coach Ginny Boggess have announced the signing of three guards on National Signing Day, as MU welcomes in Rosalie Mercille, Kellyn Preira and Diamond Wiggins.
 
"I couldn't be more thrilled about our first CAA recruiting class," said Boggess. "All three exemplify my standard for excellence in our program. We can't wait to celebrate their senior seasons and eagerly await their arrival."
 
Mercille joins the Hawks from Quebec, Canada where she plays currently at Cégep de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. The 5'9" combo guard was a three-time member of Team Canada, and helped her team to a gold medal at The Commonwealth Games. In addition, she was named the captain of Team Canada's U16 group, and also competed in the 2021 FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup. At the 2019 U16 FIBA Americas, Mercille scored 5.7 points against top competition, and followed that up with seven games played at the U19 FIBA World Cup. At the 2018 U15 National Championships, Mercille starred for Team Quebec, averaging 11.4 points, 3.4 assists and 3.4 rebounds while making five starts. She was named to the tournament's First All-Star team and led the tournament with nine made threes.
 
"Rosalie encompasses all the attributes I look for in a combo guard: fierce competitiveness, high IQ playmaking ability, and deep three-point range," said Boggess. "Her international experience with Team Canada against the best players in the world has her ready to be an immediate impact player at the collegiate level. We look forward to adding the much-needed depth at her position."
 
Preira signs with Monmouth out of Peabody, MA and competes scholastically at St. Mary's High School. The 5"11 guard scored 405 points last year, the sixth best total in St. Mary's program history, and helped lead her team to a D3 state championship, capping it with a game-winning block in the finals to top Rockford. In that title game, Preira scored 16 points and added seven rebounds and six blocks. Preira led her squad in rebounding last season, averaging 14 points per contest offensively, and has totaled 634 points in her first three seasons, amassing a 71-8 record to this point. In a contest last season against Austin Prep, the guard netted a season-best 29 points. Named a CCL All-Star both in 2021 and 2022, Preira's accolades also include Boston Globe All-Scholastic, Boston Herald All-Scholastic, Lynn Educational Channel 15 All-Star, and a selection as SBLive's Massachusetts High School Athlete of the Week.
 
"Kellyn is a long, athletic, stat-stuffing guard," said Boggess. "A lock down perimeter defender with an uncanny shot blocking ability, she can also get downhill and knock down deep threes. Her versatility and speed allow her to play multiple positions in our system. She comes with a championship pedigree and standard for excellence which will immediately elevate our program."
 
Wiggins, a 5'10" guard, comes to Monmouth from Norfolk, VA where she plays at Norview High School. The guard comes in with First Team All-District, All-Region and All-State honors to her credit, helping her squad to state runner-up and a 15-0 mark in the region. As a junior in 2021-22, Wiggins, averaged 14.2 points per contest and seven rebounds to go with nearly two steals per game. She concluded her junior campaign by being named to the All-VHSL Class 5 State Girls Basketball First Team.
 
"Diamond is an explosive guard with tremendous upside and the ability to score at all three levels," said Boggess. "She brings a defensive relentlessness, the ability to rebound on both ends of the court, and will flourish in our up-tempo system. She has been part of winning programs at every level and we are so excited for her contagious, to refuse to lose mindset to infiltrate our culture."
 
This trio is set to join the Hawks in the fall of 2023.