Limerick Celtics basketball player becomes first ever to sign for Division One College in America

LIMERICK Celtics former player, Gandy Malou-Mamel, has signed with Division One college Uconn Huskies for 2025. 

She now becomes the Huskies first-ever recruit from Ireland while still not being ranked in the top 60 recruits of the class of 2025. 

After leaving Limerick last year to begin her stateside journey at Gill St.Bernard prep school in New Jersey, Gandy is now one of the first ever Irish basketball players to sign with a Division One college.

During her time playing for Limerick Celtics she won many titles before leading her under 18 team to a National Cup Championship in 2021.

The 6ft5 centre will join the most successful women's basketball program in the nation. The college has won a record 11 NCAA Division I National Championships and a women's record four in a row, from 2013 through 2016. 

Mick Murphy from the Limerick Celtics club reacted to her signing by saying “Gandy has now set an example of how hard work pays off. The Uconn Huskies are one of the biggest teams in women’s college basketball and we are absolutely delighted for her. The signing is such an honour for the club as well. 

This is the fourth player from Limerick Celtics to receive a basketball scholarship in America which shows the incredible talent coming through the club with hopefully many more to follow on.”

Gandy is only the second 2025 prospect to commit to the Huskies and will finish out her time at Gill St.Bernard before moving to Connecticut to join Geno Auriemma and his team. 

National League captain for Limerick Celtics women's team, Sabhbh Edwards Murphy said "Gandy is an inspiration to younger players in the club. The high standards of coaching in Limerick Celtics has lead to exceptional composure and team first first mentality that has facilitated her talent to be justly recognised."