Cassandra Chincoya | Contributing writer
After an 11-19 2024-25 season, the Panthers came into the new campaign with a new cast of faces for the roster after some turnover during the offseason.
Only five players remain from last season’s roster, underclassmen’s Fantasia James, Ndate Ndiaye and Claudia Marina, and two upperclassmen Parris Atkins and Judit Valero.
Atkins was a key player last season, as she was their second leading scorer with 13.7 ppg and led the Panthers in steals with 2.4 spg.
Valero played for the Spanish U20 Fiba Eurobasket team over the summer, where she helped them win the championship while averaging 16 pt game. Having come off the bench for most of the previous season, she will look to move up to the starting lineup to form a backcourt with Atkins.
Center Isnelle Natabou, who is no longer with the team, led the Panthers in: points, field goals, free throws, rebounds, and blocks.
She had the most efficient season in FIU women’s basketball history with a field goal percentage of 67.8% while playing in every game of the season. Natabou graduated after the season and has not continued her basketball career anywhere else.
An option to take her spot as the Panthers look to establish a presence in the middle, is 6 ‘4 Sophomore forward Astrid Mukulumpe, who played one season for the Mercer Bears averaging less than 4 minutes a game.
Mukulempe’s height and potential for physicality in the paint could propel her into the starting lineup.
Another potential replacement for Natabou’s presence and production is 6 ‘5 Sophomore forward Selene Romero, transferring in from Bethesda University.
Romero averaged 2.3 pts and 3.5 rpg off the bench in 13.4 minutes per game.
6 ‘0 forward Riley Burd comes in as a junior after spending her first two collegiate seasons at Midland College, Texas, where she was a key rotational player and received 2025 Region 5 WJCAC honorable mentions.
Rhema Collins, a transfer from Ole Miss where she played limited minutes in her two seasons at the university, comes to FIU with the opportunity to play consistent minutes as the Panthers work to establish a reliable rotation at the guard position.
Same could be said for guard and graduate student Isamery Telleria, who also played limited minutes in her time for the Jacksonville Dolphins and could work her way into the rotation this season.
Many of the new faces coming into the season are those who haven’t gotten many extended opportunities and arrive at FIU with the chance to play for a team looking to keep its 2024 momentum going.
Head coach Jesyka Burks-Wiley, who is entering her sixth season with the team, said in an interview prior to the start of the season, “I’m really excited to be able to go out there and put on a great display of our program.”
The season for FIU tips off on Nov. 3 in Tampa against the USF Bulls at 6 p.m., as the Panthers look to begin their campaign with a win against a state rival.
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