UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- Penn State women's basketball head coach Carolyn Kieger announces the signing of Vitoria Santana to her Lady Lions roster. Santana, a two-year starter at Eastern Arizona, adds depth to PSU's roster at guard. Santana becomes the third transfer portal pick-up for Kieger.
"We are thrilled to have Vitoria join our Penn State family," said Kieger. "Her exceptional vision, court awareness, and leadership skills make her an invaluable asset. She has the ability to score at all three levels, but also thrives on the defensive end. Vitoria not only elevates the game of everyone around her but also embodies the competitive spirit and dedication our team strives for. We look forward to her arrival here in Happy Valley."
The Santo Andre, Brazil native spent her first two years after high school playing at Eastern Arizona in the NJCAA. Over the course of two seasons, Santana played in 61 games, making 46 starts. She improved in nearly every statistical category from her first year including a near seven-point increase in her points per game average. In her final season at Eastern Arizona, she averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. Santana posted 36.5% shooting from the field and 30.7% shooting from three-point range, both percentages up from her first season. In the NJCAA, she ranked 23rd in total points (540), 23rd in steals (90), 13th in free throws (137) and 31st in three pointers (75).
The transfer recorded 30, double figure scoring performances including two, 30-plus-point outings in her second season at EAC. Santana had a career night at Arizona Western on Feb. 24, posting 31 points on 10-of-18 shooting including 4-of-8 from three-point distance. She played all 40 minutes of the game, adding to her total of eight contests playing every minute. Santana also recorded 11 double figure rebounding games to total 10 double doubles and one triple double. Her opening game of the 2023-24 campaign against Community Christian proved to be a standout event to open the season. Her 23 points 11 rebounds and 10 steals marked her first triple-double of her career.
The gritty guard compiled four ACCAC Player of the Week nods throughout the 2023-24 season. She took home a slew of conference yearly awards including Defensive Player of the Year, All-ACCAC DI first team and All-Region DI first team. At Eastern Arizona's annual end of the year banquet, Santana was named the Female Athlete of the Year.
Santana joins the rest of the Lady Lions in action for the 2024-25 campaign.
