Hempstead, NY – Entering her fourth season with the Pride, Hofstra head women's basketball coach Danielle Santos Atkinson has announced the remainder of the 2022-23 roster. The roster features an equal balance of six returners and six newcomers.
 
Hofstra's six newcomers include a mix of four transfers and two freshman, as Janaia Fargo, Kayley Joseph-Bernard, Ally Knights, Zaniyyah Ross-Barnes, Brandy Thomas, and Emma Von Essen will all suit up for the Pride this season.
 
Fargo is a 5-8 junior guard who arrives at Hofstra following a two-year stint at Charleston Southern. The Inwood, WV native appeared in 51 career games for the Buccaneers, averaging 7.0 points per game while also contributing 89 rebounds, 78 assists, and 39 steals. Last season, Fargo led Charleston Southern in scoring with 8.2 points per game on 37-percent shooting from the field while also knocking down a team-high 36 three-pointers. She scored a career-high 18 points twice in 2021-22, the first against Gardner-Webb and later in the season against USC Upstate. Fargo attended Musselman High School and was a three-time West Virginia All-EPAC First Team selection.

Santos Atkinson on Fargo: "Janaia is a sharp shooter from deep! She's versatile and can play multiple positions on the floor. She's a great person and teammate and we look forward to many great years ahead!"
 
Joseph-Bernard is a 6'0 freshman forward from Milton, Ontario, and completed her high school career at King's Christian Collegiate. Joseph-Bernard helped her team to an undefeated 17-0 regular season during her final high school season when she averaged 4.0 points, 5.6 assists, and 7.6 rebounds per game in 2022. In addition, she earned a spot in the BioSteel All-Canadian Girls Basketball Futures Game, which features the top-24 high school Canadian basketball players.

Santos Atkinson on Joseph-Bernard: "Kayley is a dynamic versatile forward bringing great athleticism to our team. Her upside is what makes her special, and we can't wait to tap into those talents. Kayley's impact will be felt on both ends of the floor with her defensive intensity having an immediate impact."
 
Knights, a junior from Geelong, Australia, arrives at Hofstra following a two-year career at the University of North Florida. A 5-6 guard, Knights played in 38 career games for the Ospreys and was a primary starter last season when she averaged 2.9 points, 4.5 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. Knights tied for third in the ASUN Conference with 131 assists and set the UNF single-game assists record with 20 against Trinity Baptist on November 13 which at the time, was the most by any NCAA women's basketball player since 2003. In all, Knights has scored 126 points during her collegiate career thus far with 116 rebounds, 178 assists, and 40 steals.

Santos Atkinson on Knights: "I am excited to have Ally join our program. She has an infectious outgoing personality and works hard on the floor. She has great court vision, awareness, and an overall good handle on the ball."
 
Ross-Barnes is another transfer who arrives at Hofstra after spending her first collegiate season out in Suffolk County at Stony Brook. Ross-Barnes, a 6-1 forward and native of Philadelphia, PA, appeared in four games for the Seawolves during her first season. Ross-Barnes attended Abington Friends High School and helped her team to a historic season that included the first state championship in school history while also earning first team all-league honors. Ross-Barnes also competed on the track and field team at Abington Friends and set the school's high jump record.

Santos Atkinson on Ross Barnes: "I am so thrilled to have Zaniyyah joining our program. She brings a wealth of athleticism as well as versaility to both ends of the floor. She is a competitor with her best years ahead!"
 
Thomas, a Long Island native from Baldwin, NY, is a graduate transfer from nearby Long Island University. Thomas, a four-year standout at LIU, was named to the All-NEC team all four seasons including first team accolades in 2019-20 and 2021-22. In addition, Thomas earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2018-19 when she averaged a double-double with 13.9 points and 10.4 rebounds per game, ranking 27th nationally in double-doubles. She led LIU in scoring during all four of her undergraduate seasons, and finished her career with the Blackbirds and Sharks averaging 14.7 points (1,327 total points) and 8.4 rebounds (782 total rebounds). Thomas' career-highs include 29 points at Saint Francis (PA) on 2/23/20 and 19 rebounds against Mount St. Mary's on 2/11/19. Thomas was a four-year letterwinner at Christ the King Regional and helped the Royals to a NY CHSAA state championship in 2017-18.

Santos Atkinson on Thomas: "Brandy is a power player with incredible versatility. She's tough, and as a grad transfer, she will bring exceptional leadership qualities. We look forward to Brandy's impact on and off the floor."
 
Von Essen, another Long Island native, inked her name with the Pride during the early signing period. A freshman guard from Rockville Centre, Von Essen was a four-year member of the Long Island Lutheran Lady Crusaders. This past season, she was named to the Newsday All-Long Island first team after averaging 12.0 points, 6.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game. In addition, she was named a top-100 player on Long Island in 2021 when she led her team to a 22-1 record and a ranking as high as fourth in the nation.

Santos Atkinson on Von Essen: "It is always a goal to get the best players from the Island, and we've done that. Emma has an unbelievable work ethic and it is proven in her skill on the floor. She pushes herself to exceed expectation and will be a vital asset to our program."
 
The six newcomers will join Maniya Custis, Sorelle Ineza, Selma Markisic, Rosi Nicholson, Jada Peacock, and Zyheima Swint.  
 
Hofstra posted an 8-20 (4-14 CAA) record a season ago and earned a CAA Championship first round win over UNCW.