NEW YORK – The Columbia women's basketball program will welcome in five new players for the 2024-25 campaign. Head coach Megan Griffith officially announced the recruiting class on Monday, which includes first-years María Arrebola, Mia Broom, Marta Jaama and Nasi Simmons, as well as sophomore transfer Marija Avlijas.
 
"We are thrilled to welcome our newest members of Columbia Women's Basketball to Morningside Heights!" Griffith said. "These five players are ready and eager to make an immediate impact on our program. Not only will they be great additions to our style of play but they are high-character, like-minded people who are ready to attack our goals head-on and uphold our established championship culture. This group has a very high ceiling in our program individually and collectively—the bar has been raised!"
 
Details on this season's incoming class are listed below. Fans can access the complete 2024-25 Columbia women's basketball roster by clicking this link.
 
María Arrebola – 6-0 – Fr. – G/F – CC – Almería, Spain / IES Emilio Prados
One of three international students in this year's incoming class, María Arrebola played at the club level for her hometown team of CB Almería. She participated in the U18 Spanish Championship each of the last four years, helping Almería to fifth place this past season. Arrebola has also played in the European Youth Olympics Festival (EYOF) with the U16 Spanish National Team, as well as trained for the U18 European Championship with Spain. She is currently trying out for the U18 Spanish National Team that will compete at the FIBA U18 Women's Eurobasket Championships in Portugal in August. Academically, she graduated with honors from IES Emilio Prados and also studied for three years at IES Celia Viñas.
 
Griffith on Arrebola: "María is an extremely versatile and athletic player who will be a strong complement to our hybrid position. She is an unselfish two-way player who has a great feel for the game and elite defensive instincts. She will be able to play in multiple positions for us on the floor and loves to play fast. Also, she has been chosen to represent the Spanish national team at various age groups, which has provided invaluable international experience."
 
Marija Avlijas – 5-9 – So. – G – CC – Belgrade, Serbia / Gimnazija plus / Ole Miss
A combo guard from Serbia, Marija Avlijas transfers to Columbia after one season at Ole Miss. She played in 17 games for the Rebels in 2023-24, including a season-best 11 points (5-10 FG) and three assists against Michigan at the 2023 Battle4Atlantis. Prior to Ole Miss, Avlijas ranked as the third-best player coming out of Europe by WorldWide Hoops in the class of 2023. She was named the MVP of the 2021 FIBA U16 European Challenger, where she averaged 25.2 points per game. She was also named to the All-Tournament Team of the FIBA U18 Women's European Championship. Avlijas played for Red Star Belgrade (2018-22) and Art Basket (2022-23), and has participated in multiple Basketball Without Borders events throughout Europe.
 
Griffith on Avlijas: "Marija is a tough, hard-nosed competitor. She has a tremendous work ethic and a strong desire to be great. She can play both on and off the ball as well as create her own shot at various levels on the court. She adds depth, floor leadership and length to our strong backcourt. Marija has also gained valuable Serbian National Team experience—she is currently competing in the FIBA U20 Women's Eurobasket Championships in Lithuania and also is vying for a spot on the Serbian Women's National Team roster who will participate in the 2024 Summer Olympics."
 
Mia Broom – 5-9 – Fr. – G – CC – Seattle, Wash. / Lakeside
Mia Broom joins Columbia as a four-year standout from Lakeside School in Seattle, Washington. A two-sport athlete in soccer and basketball, Broom excelled on both the field and the hardwood. In basketball, she was the Metro League Defensive MVP and Metro League First Team selection as a junior in 2023. Broom repeated as the league Defensive MVP as a senior, also going on to earn 3A All-State First Team honors and lead her team to a third-place finish at the state championship. Broom competed for The Way to Win at the club level in the summers of 2022 and 2023.
 
Griffith on Broom: "Mia is one of the most motivated players I have recruited since leading this program. She has an insatiable desire to improve, learn and just flat-out be better than yesterday. Growing up in a basketball environment, Mia has constantly been around the game from a young age and it shows. Her ability to score at three levels, create her own shot and rebound as an athletic combo guard will prove to be great assets to our program."
 
Marta Jaama – 6-2 – Fr. – F/C – CC – Tallinn, Estonia / Tallinn Arte Gymnasium
Marta Jaama will look to make her presence felt in Columbia's frontcourt. A native of the Estonian capital city of Tallinn, Jaama played two years of club ball for TalTech/Nordaid (2021-23) before competing in Sweden for Södertälje BBK in 2023-24. Her Swedish team finished first in the league standings and won the Damligan title this past season. Jaama also has experience in 3x3, including an eighth-place finish at the U18 level in the 3x3 World Cup as a 16-year-old. Academically, Jaama graduated as one of the top students in her high school class, including the gold medal (an award for straight-A students).
 
Griffith on Jaama: "Marta is a long, versatile forward who fits our style perfectly. She is extremely mobile on both sides of the floor, can play inside-out and score at multiple levels. She will add depth to our frontcourt and enhance our fast-paced approach to the game.  Like María and Maria, Marta has also benefited from national team experience and international competition. She has developed a strong IQ that will only improve with time."
 
Nasi Simmons – 5-8 – Fr. – G – CC – Brockton, Mass. / Noble and Greenough
Nasi Simmons comes to Columbia after playing varsity basketball for six years (2018-24) at Noble and Greenough School. Simmons is a three-time New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) AA champion, as well as the 2024 NEPSAC AA Championship MVP and a First Team All-NEPSAC selection. Her three NEPSAC titles are a school record. Simmons is also a two-time First Team All-Independent School League (ISL) selection. At the club level, Simmons competed for Mass Rivals from 2020-23.
 
Griffith on Simmons: "Nasi is a dynamic combo guard that has tremendous upside in our system. She was our first commitment in this class. Her evolving skillset paired with her athleticism and competitiveness are a scary combination. She can score at multiple levels and will be a menace on the defensive side of the ball. Nasi is also a proven winner and consummate teammate, which will add great value to our program's culture."

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