EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP women's basketball program has signed seven athletes for the 2026-27 season, Head Coach Keitha Adams announced Monday. 
 
A brief profile and quote from coach Adams on each signee follow below.

Charlotte Aldridge
Guard/Forward
6-1
Downingtown, Pa.
Downingtown East HS
 
Averaging 10 points and 8 rebounds per game this season at Downingtown HS … earned All-League and All-Area honors …  helped Downingtown East qualify for the state playoffs … brings size on the perimeter, competitive edge and deep shooting range … plays for Books and Basketball on the AAU Circuit.
 
"Charlotte is an up-size guard who will bring some swag and 3-point shooting to our team. She's competitive, has high IQ, and can play inside and out. She has deep range on her shot and will fit very well with our style. We are excited to have her join our program."

Dilangue Cruz
Forward
6-2
Lubango, Angola
South Plains College
 
Averaging 10.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game this season for South Plains College … ranked No. 16 junior college player in the country by the Don Olson Collegiate Girls Basketball Report … plays the 3, 4 and 5 positions … represented Angola at the FIBA U16 African Women's Championship … brings length, athleticism, and inside-out scoring ability.

"Dilangue committed to us out of high school before going to South Plains, and we are very happy she kept her commitment. She is a lengthy, athletic 6'2 player who can play guard or post. She scores inside, shoots the 3, and can beat defenders off the dribble. She's active defensively with her long arms and is very good in traps. We are excited she will be joining us next year."

Isabel Joao
Guard/Forward 
6-1 
Lubango, Angola
South Plains College
 
Averaging 17.3 points and 15.3 rebounds per game this season at South Plains College … ranked the No. 1 junior college player in the country by the Dan Olson Collegiate Girls Basketball Report … plays all five positions (1–5) … represented Angola in multiple FIBA events, including the 2023 FIBA Women's AfroBasket, the FIBA U18 African Women's Championship (All-Star Team), the FIBA U18 Zone 6 Qualifiers, and the FIBA U16 African Championship … elite rebounder and versatile two-way threat.
 
"Isabel can and does play any position on the floor, from point guard to the post. Her size and length make her very difficult to guard. She has a scorer's and rebounder's mentality and is very smooth with the ball. Isabel has great body control, finishes well, and is an excellent defender with a high basketball IQ. She brings confidence, competitiveness, and a lot of swag to our team. We are extremely excited she is joining the Miners."

Kobe Johnson
Forward
6-0
Houston, Texas
North Shore Senior HS

A two-time First Team All-District selection and an All-Academic honoree … brings athleticism, rebounding strength and a quick first step … effective scorer with mid-range ability and developing perimeter range … plays for THS Spaz on the AAU circuit.
 
"Kobe is a small forward who brings athleticism and rebounding to our squad. She will help us on both ends of the floor. She's a very good scorer with a strong mid-range game, and her quick first step is extremely difficult to guard. She also brings outside shooting ability and fits the style we want to play. We are excited to add her to our program"

Belle Ratliff
Forward
6-1
Trophy Club, Texas
Byron Nelson HS
 
Averaged 18.2 points and 10.0 rebounds per game her junior season at Byron Nelson HS … named District MVP and Byron Nelson Player of the Year for 2024–25 … ranked No. 15 player in Texas and No. 127 nationally … recorded more than 20 double-doubles in one season … stretch forward who can score inside and out … plays for Drive Nation EYBL.
 
"Belle is a stretch forward who can play inside and out. She can hit the 3-point shot, is a nice passer, and is not afraid to be physical. She has great touch around the rim, finishes well, and is a beast on the boards. We are thrilled about what she brings to our frontcourt."

Arminda "Wandy" Joaquim
Guard/Forward
6-2
Angola
Odessa College
 
Averaging 10.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game this season at Odessa College … ranked No. 17 junior college player in the country by the Dan Olson Collegiate Girls Basketball Report … plays the 2, 3 and 4 positions … member of the Angola national program, competed in the 2023 FIBA Women's AfroBasket and the FIBA U18 African Championship … mobile, versatile inside-outside scorer.
 
"Wandy brings great size and versatility to our team. She can play guard and forward and can score inside and outside. She's a strong rebounder, very mobile in transition and has a great attitude. She is a high-character kid and we are excited to welcome her to our program."

Apostolia "Lia" Zormpala
Guard
5-10
Kavala, Greece
 
Competing in her third season with PAOK's senior team in Greece's A1 Division … standout youth career including U16 Final Four MVP, U16 Greek National League runner-up, and Rising Stars participant … averaged 19.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.8 steals in Rising Stars Greece … significant national team experience with Greece's U16 and U18 EuroBasket teams … selected to the 2025 Basketball Without Borders Europe roster.
 
"Lia is a combo guard with a scorer's mentality. She is extremely competitive, hard-working and very experienced internationally. She's a strong 3-point shooter, an excellent passer and always guards the opponent's best player. Her basketball IQ is outstanding, and we are excited to add her to our program."

Adams On The Signing Class
"We're very excited about this recruiting class and we are looking forward to them joining our program. Go Miners!"  
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