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Soares joins ISU women’s basketball staff as graduate assistant
AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head coach Bill Fennelly announced the addition of Stephanie Soares to his 2023-24 staff as a graduate assistant Friday afternoon.
Soares, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics before being traded to the Dallas Wings, transferred to Iowa State for her final season of collegiate eligibility in 2022-23. She played in only 13 games for the Cyclones before her season was cut short due to a knee injury.
Despite her shortened season, the Sao Paulo, Brazil, native made an immediate impact for ISU. She averaged 14.4 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game for the Cyclones, reaching double figures in 11 contests and recording eight double-doubles.
Her season-high of 23 points came in wins against UNI and Michigan State. Soares pulled down 20 rebounds against West Virginia, recording the sixth 20-rebound game in school history.
Soares came to Iowa State after a standout career at The Master’s University, where she was a two-time NAIA Division I Player of the Year. In 2021-22, she averaged 20.5 points, 12.2 rebounds and 3.7 blocks, en route to leading the Mustangs to a 32-4 overall record. Soares was also named the WBCA NAIA Player of the Year.
Soares also competed for her home country of Brazil in the FIBA World Cup in February 2022.
Basketball runs deep in the Soares family. Her mother, Susan, started 97 games at Texas under Jody Conradt, while her father, Rogerio, and three of her siblings all played basketball at The Master’s.
Soares is pursuing her master’s degree in family and consumer sciences. She received her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and physical education from The Master’s University.
