Mississippi State Welcomes Italian Forward Ludovica Sammartino
The Bulldogs’ women’s basketball program announced the addition of Ludovica Sammartino, an Italian forward, to its 2026‑27 roster. The announcement came in August, positioning her as the fifth international player on a team that has been rebuilding after a five‑game losing streak and an NCAA Tournament omission the previous year.
Sammartino brings a blend of European experience and collegiate potential. She spent the last season in Italy’s top‑tier Serie A1, where she averaged 1.9 points per game, and earlier in Serie A2 she posted a career‑high 14.6 points per game. The coaching staff highlighted her work ethic and shooting versatility as assets for a frontcourt that will rely on returning scorers.
A Global Mix on the Roster
The new roster now features athletes from five different nations. Alongside Sammartino, the Bulldogs will field Nigerian forward Grace Ndubueze, Nigerian guard Favour Nwaedozi, French guard Melissa Guillet, and Brazilian forward Arianny Francisco de Oliveira. Their varied backgrounds add depth to the team’s chemistry and broaden the program’s international footprint.
Returning players Madison Francis and Favour Nwaedozi are expected to anchor the frontcourt, providing experience and scoring punch. Their presence, combined with the fresh talent, aims to reverse the previous season’s five‑game slide and contend for a postseason berth.
Mississippi State University, a longtime member of the NCAA’s Southeastern Conference, has not yet released its full schedule for the upcoming campaign. The athletic department indicated that the schedule will be posted in the coming weeks, giving fans a clearer picture of the challenges ahead.