Virginia Tech women’s basketball signs Jessica Dimaro

Megan Duffy’s offseason swings

Virginia Tech’s coach Megan Duffy faced a turbulent start to the summer after a solid 23‑10 campaign that earned an NCAA Tournament berth. Two key starters, Carys Baker and Mackenzie Nelson, decided to leave via the portal, both landing in ACC schools—Louisville and Clemson respectively. The loss of a 14.3‑point, 6.9‑rebound scorer and an 8.0‑point guard left holes in the rotation that Duffy quickly moved to address.

Key recruits fill the gaps

Duffy bolstered her roster with several portal pickups, most notably Lauren Hurst and Alyssa Latham, who joined from Tennessee. The coaching staff also secured a late commitment for next season, adding depth on the frontcourt. These acquisitions aim to restore the rebounding and scoring balance that the Hokies relied on during their recent tournament run.

Meet the new center: Jessica Dimaro

The latest addition is 6‑foot‑4 center Jessica Dimaro, a native of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. She spent the past two seasons with the Toyota Boshoku Sunshine Rabbits in Japan’s W League, where she earned 2024‑25 Rookie of the Year honors. Dimaro averaged **12 points and 9.7 rebounds** per game, showcasing a promising combination of size and efficiency.

• Played two seasons in Japan’s W League
• Named W League Rookie of the Year in 2024‑25
• Posted a 12‑point, 9.7‑rebound season
• Follows a similar path to ACC rookie Uche Izoje, who also came from Nigeria via Japan

Potential impact for the Hokies

If Dimaro can repeat her Japanese averages, she could become an immediate force in the paint for Virginia Tech. She is currently listed as the **only center** on next season’s roster, giving her a clear pathway to significant minutes. Her size and rebounding could also open up shooting opportunities for the guards.

What this means moving forward

The signing signals that Duffy is turning portal losses into strategic gains, reinforcing the program’s depth. With Dimaro’s presence, the Hokies add a tough inside presence that could improve both defensive rebounding and post scoring. This move positions Virginia Tech to compete for ACC placement and deeper NCAA Tournament runs in the coming year.