Women's Basketball 4/28/2023 10:00:00 AM

Women's Basketball Announces Trio of Transfers

Canisius women's basketball head coach Sahar Nusseibeh announced the addition of three transfers as Grace Heeps, Mackenze Amalia and Bri Rozzi are all slated to join Golden Griffins ahead of the 2023-24 season.

Heeps comes from UAlbany, Amalia from Robert Morris and Rozzi hails from Loyola University Maryland. This past season, Heeps and Amalia both played against Canisius with their former schools.

"We are thrilled to welcome the additions of Grace Heeps, Mackenzie Amalia, and Bri Rozzi" Nusseibeh said. "They bring not only experience, but a winner's mindset. They will help elevate us in every facet of our program immediately. We couldn't ask for better competitors and people to join our Griff family as they fit everything we are about and how we are looking to build this program up."

A team captain for the Great Danes during the 2022-23 season, Heeps started 33 of the 34 games played for UAlbany this past season. Heeps averaged 4.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 0.9 steals per game. She totaled four games with double digits, punctuated by a season-high 13 points against MAAC-foe Siena on Nov. 13. Heeps also captured hardware while in the state capital, helping the Great Danes claim the 2021-22 America East Championship. The East Greenbush, N.Y., native has played in both the WNIT and the NCAA Tournament before, brining postseason experience to a Griffs squad that was the second youngest team in the nation last season.

"Grace brings the energy not only every single day, but every single second," Nusseibeh said. "That is just who she is. She enters a room, or steps on the court, and you will feel her positive energy immediately. I recruited her out of high school and beyond being a terrific player, that is what I remember and respect the most. On the court, Griffs fans are not only going to feel the energy and high motor she competes with, but they will also see a strong and heady guard who pushes tempo, makes great decisions and has unlimited range."

A native of Beaver Falls, Pa., Amalia was one of two players to start every game for the Colonials in 2022-23. She averaged 6.1 points, 2.8 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game. Amalia also paced RMU in assists in 15 contests while sitting second on the team in steals with 42. She notched a season-high six steals when Robert Morris faced Canisius this past season on Nov. 26.

"Competing against Mackenzie in the non-conference slate these last two years, I knew we had to have her on our side," Nusseibeh said. "She is a fierce competitor who shut us down while at RMU; something I really respected. Kenzie is going to go all-out on both sides of the ball. She's going to work you and make you earn everything when she's on defense, and then push tempo relentlessly on the offensive end. Her basketball IQ, combined with her aggressive mentality, is a great combination for a Griffs point guard."

Rozzi, a central New York native and four-year member of the Greyhounds, played in 27 games for Loyola University Maryland this past season while starting in 23. She averaged 5.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game, while her 60 total assists ranked second on the squad. Rozzi ranked third on the Greyhounds in 3-pointers made with 20 while also crossing the double-digit threshold six times during the season.

"The first thing that stood out to me during the recruiting process was Bri's spirit and genuine buy-in to what and how we are building our program," Nusseibeh said. "I felt she was with us and excited about the possibility of wearing the Blue and Gold from our first conversation. That confident belief in what we can do is invaluable. When it comes to the hardwood, Griffs fans are going to see a high motored and tough combo guard who will work tirelessly 94 feet for a full 40 minutes. There is no let up with Bri and how she competes."

The trio of transfers will join incoming freshman Mary Copple as the four newest faces on Main Street ahead of the 2023-24 season.

For the most up-to-date information on Canisius women's basketball, follow @GriffsWBB on Twitter and Instagram.

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