DeKALB — The women’s basketball team gained a much-needed paint presence on Thursday as Brooke Stonebraker signed a letter of intent to join the Huskies this fall. Stonebreaker is a 6-foot-3-inch forward out of Versailles High School in Versailles, Ohio and played AAU for the Cincinnati Angels. 

Stonebraker’s size will fill a need as NIU’s roster currently lacks height with forwards Ally May and Abby Woollacott graduating this spring. May and Wollacott combined to start 31 games for the Huskies last season.

Head Coach Lisa Carlsen told Early Bird reporter Gaylen Blosser she is excited that Stonebraker chose NIU.

Stonebraker brings a winning mentality with her to DeKalb, as an Ohio state champion in volleyball. The future Huskie won two state titles in high school and had the hard decision of choosing between basketball and volleyball.

NIU is coming off a disappointing season, finishing with an overall record of 11-19 and 7-11 in Mid-American Conference. Stonebraker could make NIU a force to be reckoned with in the near future, possibly allowing for the Huskies to contend for MAC championships.