Wisconsin women's basketball signs international center
Wisconsin women's basketball signs international center
Wisconsin women's basketball landed a commitment from Croatian center Dorja Zaja on Friday.
At 6-foot-3, Zaja joins the Badgers after suiting up for Croatia in FIBA's 2024 U20 Women's EuroBasket action. She played in six contests during the 2024 slate and averaged 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per appearance. She also denied 15 shot attempts and snared 32 defensive boards as an anchor in the paint.
In addition to her FIBA action, Zaja laced up for Tresnjevka in the Croatia-Premijer League. In 25 regular-season games, the future Badger accounted for 9.4 tallies in just under 21 minutes per contest. Zaja is currently playing in the postseason for Tresnjevka before traveling to Madison.
Zaja is Wisconsin's seventh commitment under new head coach Robin Pingeton this offseason, following Illinois forward Shay Bollin, Stony Brook guard Breauna Ware, Howard guard Destiny Howell, NC State guard Laci Steele, Southern Illinois forward Gift Uchenna and Missouri State guard Kyrah Daniels, all of whom were transfer portal additions.
While the Badgers' portal activity is encouraging for fans, the team needed to address the center position following the departure of standout forwards Serah Williams and Carter McCray following the season. Uchenna, Bollin and Zaja now figure to pick up those front-court minutes during the 2025-26 slate.
Pingeton, who was hired following the resignation of coach Marisa Moseley this spring, has now finalized her roster for the 2025-26 season. The program experienced significant turnover after nearly every member of its 2024-25 roster departed via the transfer portal or graduation.
Without Williams, arguably the greatest player to ever play for Wisconsin's program, the Badgers will ignite a new era of hoops under Pingeton. UW will look to improve on a 13-17 output last season, which also included a 4-14 record in Big Ten action.
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