Women's Basketball | July 30

DeKalb, IL – NIU Women's Basketball Head Coach Jacey Brooks filled out the 2026-27 roster with four transfers from the Midwest and western New York. The quartet brings plenty of playing experience to the Huskies as they prepare for their first season of Horizon League action.
 
Ashlynn Brooke is a 5'6" guard from Logansport, Ind. Brooke will play her final season of college basketball as a Huskie after being previously at Ball State. She played in 15 games in the 2025-26 season, shooting 40 percent from the field. The Cardinals won the Mid-American Conference regular season and tournament titles in 2025 and tied for the regular season championship in 2026. Brooke led the state of Indiana in scoring as a junior at Pioneer High School in 2022, averaging 25.9 points per game with 98 three-pointers. As a sophomore Brooke helped lead Pioneer to an IHSAA Class A state title.
 
Brooks on Brooke: "Ashlynn has been a tremendous addition to our backcourt. She has done an outstanding job this summer running the point guard position and providing steady leadership for our team. Her ability to score at all three levels and consistently knock down open shots will attract the attention of opposing defenses. I'm especially excited about the championship experience she brings to our program. She understands the commitment, discipline, and work ethic it takes to compete at the highest level, and that mindset will have a positive impact on our team."


 
Anna Stromberg is a 6'3" forward from Andover, Minn. Stromberg comes to NIU after playing two seasons at Radford, playing in 60 games. In 31 games in the 2025-26 season Stromberg shot 54.1 percent from the field and over 70 percent from the free throw line. She averaged 19.6 points and 16 rebounds per game while at Legacy Christian Academy, earning All-Conference honors. She was a two-time team captain and lettered in basketball and volleyball all four years.
 
Brooks on Stromberg: "We became a better team the day Anna committed to our program. She immediately filled a critical need by adding size and depth to our frontcourt. Her presence in the paint has made a significant impact on both ends of the floor, giving us a consistent interior presence. Offensively, she's a dangerous scorer whenever she catches the ball with two feet in the paint. Her strong work ethic and daily commitment have already had a positive influence on our team and culture."


 
Leah Middleton is a 5'10" guard from Auburn, N.Y. who transferred to NIU from Binghamton for her senior year. Middleton played 50 games for the Bearcats over the last two seasons with 26 starts. She averaged 6.4 points and 2.3 rebounds per game in 33 games last season. Middleton shot 34.5 percent from the field and 88.9 percent from the foul line. As a freshman Middleton played in 32 games at Le Moyne in the 2023-24 season. Middleton averaged 27.9 points per game as a senior in high school and was named the All-Central New York Large School Player of the Year in 2023. Brooks coached Middleton in AAU for I-90 Elite.
 
Brooks on Middleton: "Leah's versatility has made an immediate impact on our team. She plays with a relentless motor on both ends of the floor and creates matchup problems for opponents due to her ability to affect the game in so many ways. She can score from the perimeter, attack the paint, and take advantage of whatever the defense gives her. It has been exciting to follow Leah's collegiate career, and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to coach her again and have her be a part of what we're building here at NIU."


 
Atarah Walker is a 6'2" forward from Niagara Falls, N.Y. Walker played the last two years at SUNY Niagara. She helped lead the Thunderwolves to the NJCAA Region III Division II championship game twice, winning it in 2025 to advance SUNY Niagara to the NJCAA Tournament. Walker had 14 career double-doubles in 53 games. In the 2025-26 season Walker averaged 9.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, starting all 25 games.
 
Brooks on Walker: "Atarah gives us valuable size and physicality in the paint, and she has a natural ability to rebound the ball on both ends of the floor. She has made tremendous strides throughout the summer, continuing to develop her game offensively and defensively. As she continues to grow into her role and gain confidence, she has the potential to make a significant impact on our team."


 
--NIU--