Syracuse women’s basketball announced on May 13 that Emely Rodriguez will join the team for the upcoming 2026-27 season. Rodriguez, originally from La Romana, Dominican Republic, comes to Syracuse after spending her sophomore year at Iowa, which was shortened due to injury.
The addition of Rodriguez is significant as she brings experience and proven scoring ability to the roster. Head Coach Felisha Legette-Jack said, “Emely will bring us instant offense. She is a ferocious competitor that is willing to lay it on the line every day. I love Emely’s intensity of purpose, passion, and defense! I am thrilled to get this HUGE YES in May! Orange Nation, please help me welcome Emely Rodriguez to our Orange Family.”
Rodriguez had a notable freshman season at UCF during 2024-25 where she earned All-Big 12 Freshman Team honors. She ranked second on her team in scoring with an average of 11.9 points per game and contributed 5.3 rebounds per game. During that season, she scored in double figures in sixteen games and led the Knights in free throw percentage at .753 while also recording thirty-six steals.
After transferring to Iowa for her sophomore year, Rodriguez appeared in six games before injury cut her season short; she totaled forty-three points, twelve rebounds and ten assists during those appearances.
Rodriguez has been recognized as one of South Florida’s top high school recruits and helped lead Central Pointe Academy to an SIAA State Championship while being named Miami Herald’s Miami-Dade County Girl’s Basketball Player of the Year. At Horeb Christian School, she guided her team to its first state championship game appearance by averaging impressive statistics: twenty-six point five points, fifteen point five rebounds and five point five assists per game.
She becomes the fourth player signed by Legette-Jack out of the transfer portal this offseason alongside Sarah Rambus, Tyi Skinner and Jaleesa Molina. The incoming class also includes two freshmen from New York: Madison Howard and Destiny Robinson.
