NEWARK, DE -- University of Delaware women’s basketball head coach Tina Martin (at right) has announced the addition of 5-foot-9 shooting guard Vanessa Kabongo to the 2007-08 recruiting class.

Kabongo, who is originally from the Congo, now attends Canada Basketball’s National Elite Development Academy in Hamilton, Ontario. After playing two years at Eastern Commerce High School, Kobongo was one of 12 players to attend the Academy, which is a training center for Canada’s top basketball players between the ages of 15 and 17.

Kabongo also played in five games at the U20 FIBA Americas Qualifier in Mexico City, Mexico last year and trained with the Junior Women’s National Team in Colorado Springs, CO.

In 2005 she played in all five games in the USAB Youth Festival averaging 16.4 minutes, 3.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. She also won a Gold Medal with Team Ontario at the 2005 Canada Games and a Silver Medal at the 2005 U15 National Championships.

In 2006 she was voted to the first All-Star team at the 2006 National Championships and was named 2006 All-Canadian Rising Star.

“Vanessa is an outstanding athlete who will play the wing guard position,” said Martin. “She is a slashing athletic guard who can score. She will contribute to our program immediately.”

Kabongo will join center Eva Riddick, point guard Gracie Palucis, and guard Tesia Harris to make up the Blue Hens 2007-08 recruiting class. Delaware is coming off a 26-6 season, setting a school record for wins in the regular season with 25. The Blue Hens advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2001 and received the school’s first ever at-large bid.