Hempstead, NY – Head women's basketball coach Danielle Santos Atkinson announced the addition of a pair of transfers to the 2021-22 roster. Makayla Ennis and Maniya Custis will be joining the Pride for the upcoming season.
 
Makayla Ennis is a 6-0 guard from Brampton, Ontario, who arrives in Hempstead after spending the first two years of her career at Virginia Tech. Ennis appeared in 34 total games for the Hokies, averaged nearly 10 minutes per contest, and shot 40-percent from the field. Ennis had one of the best games of her career against Wake Forest on Jan. 17, 2021 when she netted 12 points (5-of-10 FG, 2-of-2 3FG) during 29 minutes of action. 
 
Ennis was rated a four-star recruit out of Lincoln Prep High School according to Prospect Nation. She was the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association League MVP and was a First Team All-Star and 2017 and 2018, and was also a two-time Biosteel All-Canadian selection. Ennis has experience at the international level as well as she was a member of the Canadian U-17 National Team in 2018 and won a silver medal at the FIBA Americas U-16.
 
"Makayla's versatility is what makes her such a dynamic player," commented Santos Atkinson. I look forward to the many ways she can utilize her skill set to impact our team on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. Makayla has only scratched the surface of her potential, and I am thrilled for the opportunity to work with her as she develops throughout her career. She is driven and passionate, with a tremendous work ethic towards her goals on and off the floor. We are proud that she chose Hofstra to continue her academic and athletic journey!"  

At Hofstra, Ennis will be majoring in Film Studies and Production within Hofstra's Lawrence Herbert School of Communication.
 
Maniya Custis, a 5-3 guard from Camden, New Jersey, arrives at Hofstra after spending her freshman season at the University of Central Florida. With the Knights, Custis appeared in three contests and recorded her first collegiate field goal against Virginia.
 
Custis closed out her high school career at Trenton Catholic Academy, and collected several accolades during her time with the Lady Mikes. She was named the Burlington County Scholastic League Player of the Year twice and was also tabbed the Trentonian Player of the Year. A First Team All-State honoree, Cusis was a 2020 New Jersey McDonald's All-American Games nominee.
 
"I am excited to have Maniya join our Hofstra Pride family!" said Santos Atkinson. "Maniya will add a high level of skill to our program with her basketball IQ along with a great ability to see the floor and distribute to her teammates from the point guard position. What separated Maniya was her ability to shoot the ball from the perimeter and her craftiness to make plays offensively. She is a fierce competitor with the ability to lead and communicate on the floor. Maniya will strengthen our back court headed into the 2021-22 season"   
 
At Hofstra, Custis will be majoring in Health Science within the University's School of Health Professions and Human Services
 
Both Ennis and Custis will be eligible to compete immediately as the NCAA Division I Council recently passed a one-time immediate transfer waiver for Division I athletes in all sports.