Hempstead, NY – Hofstra Head Women's Basketball Coach Danielle Santos Atkinson announced the commitments of Syniya Barton, Kiyanna Blacks-Stewart, and Olivia VanPatten to continue their collegiate academic and athletic careers at Hofstra University during the early signing period.
 
A 5-7 guard from South Hempstead, New York, Barton will arrive at Hofstra Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School in East Elmhurst, New York. Barton averaged 11 points and 10 rebounds per game for Crusaders last season while shooting 52% from the floor and 33% from three-point range, and she averaged 10.6 points and 8.5 rebounds per game as a sophomore in 2022-23. She was named the MVP of the Rose Classic Basketball Tournament in 2022-23 and again in 2023-24. Barton also ran cross country for Monsignor McClancy Memorial, where she was named the move valuable athlete her sophomore year.
 
"We are excited to welcome Syniya to the Pride Family," coach Santos Atkinson said. "She is a dynamic combo guard, whose athleticism, knowledge of the game, and leadership qualities will allow her to be impactful on both ends of the floor. She is a high-level competitor who we are excited decided to stay home and join the Pride family."
 
Barton plans to major in Community Health at Hofstra, with the goal of becoming a general surgeon upon graduation.
 
Blacks-Stewart, a 6-1 forward from Sicklerville, New Jersey, is entering her second year as a member of the girls' basketball team at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, New Jersey. A transfer from Camden Catholic, Kiyonna was named Second Team All-Conference her sophomore season after averaging 5.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. As a junior she made an immediate impact at Paul VI and helped lead them to a runner-up finish in the NJSIAA South Jersey Non-Public A Tournament and to the 2024 South Jersey Invitational Basketball Tournament championship.
 
"Kiyanna is a great addition to our Pride family," Santos Aktinson says. "She is powerful post with great athleticism and touch around the basket. Our fans will appreciate her ability to run the floor, score, rebound and defend.  She has an extremely high ceiling, and we are excited she choose Hofstra to help her reach it."
 
Blacks-Stewart is undecided on what she will major in at Hofstra University, but she plans to be an entertainment lawyer upon graduating.
 
A 6-1 forward from Cranston, Rhode Island, VanPatten will attend Hofstra after graduating from St. George's School in Middletown, Rhode Island, where she was a member of the varsity girls' basketball team for three years. VanPatten was named All-NEPSAC and All-ISL in 2023-24 after averaging 12.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game for the Dragons. She helped the Dragons to a Class B NEPSAC title her junior season, as well as the Coaches Cup the same season. VanPatten averaged 10.2 points and 3.0 rebounds per game as a sophomore in 2022-23.
 
"Olivia anchors this class, as she was the first to give us a verbal commitment," Santos Atkinson said. "She has a great feel for the game and will provide mismatches with her ability to shoot the three.   She is accustomed to winning and we are excited to welcome her to the Pride family."
 
An honor roll student every year of her high school academic career, VanPatten intends to major in psychology at Hofstra with the goal of becoming a sports psychologist after graduation.