Princeton Introduces Class of 2022

PRINCETON, N.J. – Following an Ivy League title in 2018, the Princeton Tigers have introduced the Class of 2022 today.

"It is with great excitement that we officially introduce the class of 2022," stated head coach Courtney Banghart. "This is such a talented class that touches all parts of the game and all positions on the floor. Most of all, they have chosen Princeton for the right reasons. They want to be stretched in all parts of their Princeton experience, they are hungry to be a part of something special in our program, and they are committed to bringing us to new heights. They will bring so much right away to this team, program, and community. We can't wait to coach this group, just as we can't wait to share them with all of Tiger Nation.

Maggie Connolly
Hometown: Wilmington, Del.
High School: Ursuline Academy
Height: 5'8
Position: Guard

A senior captain that was a three-time first team All-State and four-time first-team all-conference player … Finished her career with 1,115 points … The Delaware Girls' Basketball Player of the Year (2018) … Gatorade Player of the Year (2016-17) … 2017 Diamond State Classic All-Tournament Team … MVP at She's Got Game / Blue Chip and Philadelphia Play by Play Tournaments … Won Ursuline Coaches' Award as a senior … Team won three state titles and the Diamond State Classic National Bracket in 2017 … Also lettered in golf … Member of the National Honor Society … Student Council treasurer … President of National Art Honor Society … Student Ambassador … Highest honors each semester … St. Francis de Sales Award in 2018.

Personal: Daughter of Anne and Colm Connolly … Has three brothers, John, Jim and Will

Why I chose Princeton?
"I chose Princeton because from the moment I stepped on campus and connected with the coaching staff and team, I knew it was a place I could call home," said Connolly. "I'm excited to be challenged both academically and athletically, and to be in an environment where I am constantly supported and motivated."

Julia Cunningham
Hometown: Watchung, N.J.
High School: Watchung Hills
Height: 5'11
Position: Guard

A two-time captain that was the program's all-time leader in scoring (1,718) along with 738 rebounds, 360 assists, 324 steals and 167 blocks … Third-team all-state and first-team all-area … Selected first team All-Group IV twice … All-Conference three times … All-USA New Jersey second team … New Jersey Senior All-Star Game … Squad won Skyland Conference Raritan Division three times (2015, 2017-18) … Team was Group IV section two runner-up … Member of the National Honor Society … Language National Honor Society in junior and senior years … Somerset County Scholar Athlete

Personal: Daughter of Catherine and John Cunningham … Has an older brother, Colin

Why I chose Princeton?
"I chose Princeton because it will allow me to compete against excellent athletic competition while also providing a world-class education," mentioned Cunningham. "I fell in love with the campus and the team on my first visit and automatically pictured myself at Princeton. The coaching staff aims to guide their players to become great athletes and better people. Princeton is the perfect fit for me because of the balance of academics and athletics while still creating an environment that feels like home."

Kira Emsbo
Hometown: Lakewood, Colo.
High School: Lakewood
Height: 6'5
Position: Forward

A junior captain that earned a 2018 McDonald's All-American nomination … Picked up two all-conference accolades … Esmark All-American Award … Invited to the 2018 The Show All-Star Game … Squad won three Jeffco League titles (2015, 2016, 2018) … Team made the state's Great Eight in 2015 and 2016, made the state final in 2017 and the Final Four in 2018 … Lettered in track for three years … Member of the National Honor Society … High honors and Academic All-State all four years … Presidential Award … Vice President of the Key Club and was part of the Link Leaders, Wind Ensemble (playing saxophone) and International Baccalaureate program.

Personal: Daughter of Susan and Poul Emsbo ... Has a brother, Erik, and twin sister, Camilla ... Sister will play basketball at Yale.

Why I chose Princeton?
"I chose Princeton because it is an exception to the common misconception that by playing basketball at a high level, you have to sacrifice an incredible education," stated Emsbo. "My education has always been a priority to me and I knew from the first time that I talked to the coaching staff that they felt the same way. The coaches have created a supportive environment within the Princeton Basketball family, making me confident that it will be the perfect place for me to grow as an individual and as a basketball player.

Grace Stone
Hometown: Glen Cove, N.Y.
High School: Long Island Lutheran
Height: 5'11
Position: Guard

Was a three-time captain … All-Long Island each year including first-team accolades three times … NY State Sports Writer's All-State twice (2016, 2017) … Sportsmanship Award of the Junior Orange Bowl Holiday Tournament and NY State Federation All-Tournament Team (2017) … Team made the NY State Federation AA semifinals during junior and senior seasons, reaching the finals in 2015-16 and winning the title in 2014-15 … School was also in the Max Preps Poll every season … Coaches Award as a sophomore and junior … National Honor Society member … President of the French Club … Member of the Helping and Reaching Teens (H.A.R.T) and Ambassadors of Christ (A.O.C.) groups … Graduated with honors and made Honor Roll every quarter.

Personal: Daughter of Karen and Rikk Stone … Has three brothers, Ben, Gabe and Micah.

Why I chose Princeton?
"Princeton is my perfect fit," said Stone. "It reflects my passion for basketball and my desire to challenge myself academically while developing my gifts for service to my community. It allows me to learn both leadership as well as basketball from the top coach in the country, and from a staff I have loved and respected since I attended camp here as a fourth grader. Finally, I have the honor of joining a unique legacy of women who made this program so special for decades."

Neenah Young
Hometown: Tracy, Calif.
High School: Saint Mary's
Height: 6'0
Position: Wing

Finished career with 1,209 points, 336 rebounds, 246 steals, 169 assists and 44 blocks … St. Mary's three-point scoring leader … Cal Hi Sports Open/Division I All-State in 2018 along with NorCal Sports TV All-Star accolade … Selected NorCal Preps first-team All-NorCal and San Joaquin All-Area first team in 2017 and 2018 … Cal Hi Sports first team All-State, All-Star Preps – Female Athlete of the Year and CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Player of the Year in 2017 … Named CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division I Championship MVP, Cardinal Newman Classic and West Coast Jamboree All-Tournament Teams in 2017 … Was in the top five among three-point scoring in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division I the last past two seasons … Team was CIF Sac-Joaquin Section DI Champions all four years … School made the CIF State Open Division regional semifinals three times … Squad was nationally ranked and had a top five ranking in California all four years … Team in 2015 was inducted into the Stockton Athletic Hall of Fame … Also lettered in track, participating in the 100m, 200m, Triple and Long Jumps … Saw action in volleyball, named as Freshman MVP … Member of the National Honor Society … St. Mary's Senate and Cabinet Student Government … Took part in the Environmental Awareness, Empowering Young Women and "Green Machine" School Spirit organizations … Named 2018 St. Mary's Winter Female Scholastic Athlete of the Year … Will graduate Summa Cum Laude … Jesper's Club Female Student Athlete Scholastic Achievement Award in 2017 … California Scholastic Federation and St. Mary's Academic Letter recipient all four years … St. Mary's Top 1% Achievement Awards for Math, English and Spanish.

Personal: Daughter of Nancy and Marcellus Young … Has a sister, Nicole, and brother, Marcellus, Jr.

Why I chose Princeton?
"When considering my college choices, I took the approach of looking at my future college journey holistically," stated Young. "With Princeton, I was able to check off every box: The academics, athletics, sense of community, and last but not least, my coaches and teammates. I felt it was the perfect match for me. I knew I would get the best of all worlds."

Lexi Weger
Hometown: Fairfax, Va.
High School: Episcopal
Height: 6'3
Position: G/F

A two-time captain that was the school's all-time leader in scoring (1,458 points), rebounds (744) and blocks (341) … All-State second team three years … All-Met honorable mention three times … All-ISL all four years … Alexandria Sportman's Club Athlete of the Month (Feb. 2017) … Team was the 2016-17 ISL A Regular Season Champions and 2015-16 ISL A Tournament Champions … Named team MVP as a senior and earned Most Improved Player as a freshman … Also lettered in cross country and lacrosse … Head Tour Guide … Writer for the student newspaper (The Chronicle) and student-published magazine (The Daemon) … Student-Athlete Advisory Council.

Personal: Daughter of Pauline and Roger Weger … Has a sister, Shawn.

Why I chose Princeton?
"There are many 'Princeton Things' that I love: the academic program that's designed for me to discover my passions, a community of people with diverse interests, and a beautiful campus filled with tradition," mentioned Weger. "When I visited, I saw how my future team and coaching staff challenged each other to grow as competitors, as teammates, and as people. I could feel the sense of family. I knew I had found my place."

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