NIA MALLETTE IN NJCAA/WBCA ALL-STAR SHOWCASE

(loc: Atlanta, GA)

On a beautiful summer day in July, in a packed Clayton State University gym in Atlanta, Georgia, representing Union College by way of Belleville, N.J., 5’8” SG Nia Mallette participated in the 14th Annual NJCAA Women’s Basketball Coaches Association All-Star Showcase. Mallette, who was an All-Region selection this past season, is the third Lady Owl in the last five years to play in the Top 40 All-Star Game, following in the footsteps of alums Brianna Mills (2021) and Yamel Abreu (2018). The event which lasted from July 20th through July 23rd, was comprised of 40 selected student-athletes from every division of the NJCAA.

Players attended practice, a classroom session, and the Coaches Hall of Fame banquet while competing in games. The talented group not only received the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of four-year level coaches from across the country but had the chance to become better players and hone their craft against elite competition. Coaches from top NCAA Division I, Division II and NAIA programs were in attendance.

Having been chosen as one of the 40 rising sophomores to participate is an extreme honor. Her selection can be credited to her hard work and passionate play during her freshman campaign in which Mallette played a pivotal role in the Lady Owls return to the National Tournament in 2022. She averaged 12.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game, earning 1st Team All-Conference and 1st Team All Region selections.

"It was a really great experience and I'm so grateful & blessed for this opportunity," Mallette said. "It’s exciting to be chosen and I really enjoyed meeting everyone and competing against other great players from across the country."

If her first season is any indication of what’s to come, Nia is poised to have a very successful sophomore campaign. “Nia is one of those kids that plays with passion.” Coach Marbely Montas added, “She plays with a big heart that leads to big results, which she displayed during the All-Star showcase in front of all the coaches who attended event.”

Congratulations Ms. Mallette!